Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
132 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the position with regard to decentralisation plans for his Department; if further staff have agreed to relocate as part of this plan; the number of staff who have agreed to relocate; when the Civil Defence branch of his Department will be moved to Roscrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1512/05]
View answer138 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in decentralisation of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1526/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 138 together.
The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, County Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200. The Government decision also provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces headquarters staff to the Curragh, County Kildare.
A total of 385 civil servants, of whom 78 are currently serving in the Department, have declared an interest in relocating to Newbridge. The Office of Public Works is in discussions regarding the possible acquisition of a site in Newbridge for the Department's new headquarters. A site for the Defence Forces' headquarters at the Curragh has been selected and preliminary planning in connection with the design of the building has commenced.
Part of the staff of the Civil Defence Board has already moved to temporary accommodation in Roscrea. The Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision of official accommodation for Government Departments, will shortly issue tenders for the fit-out of a leased building in Roscrea which will be the permanent headquarters of the Civil Defence Board. It is expected that this building will be available for occupation later this year.
