The Government Decision on decentralisation, announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget statement on 3 December 2003, provides for the transfer of all of my Department's Dublin based civil service staff to Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200.
A total of 357 personnel, of which 60 are from within the Department, have opted to move to Newbridge. An additional 28 staff from outside my Department have been assigned to this Department for the purpose of relocating to Newbridge. The Government decision also provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces Headquarters staff to the Curragh, Co Kildare.
The O.P.W. is in advanced negotiations with Kildare County Council in relation to the acquisition of a site in Newbridge.
As my Department is oversubscribed, there will be a sufficient number of officials to ensure the ongoing effective operation of the Department.