Edward Nealon
Ceist:127 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the closure of the eight regional Civil Defence offices throughout the country.
Written Answers. - Civil Defence Office Closures.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:129 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Defence if he sanctioned the closure of the eight regional Civil Defence offices throughout the country including the regional Civil Defence office in Sligo; and if he will outline the replacement arrangements which are being made for the conducting of the business previously handled by this office.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 129 together.
It was decided in August 1989 that, on the completion of their periods of secondment to Civil Defence, the eight Army commandants who were employed as regional Civil Defence officers would not be replaced. This decision was taken following a review of the organisation and their role. Six of these officers were accommodated in Army barracks and two in office accommodation provided by the local authorities.
All local authorities have full-time staff engaged on Civil Defence duties. These personnel, together with the Civil Defence branch of my Department, provide an adequate structure to administer the organisation throughout the country.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:128 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the arrangements which are being made for the clerical assistants employed in the eight regional Civil Defence offices throughout the country which are being closed with particular reference to those who cannot easily transfer to work in an army barracks because of the distance from their homes.
Arising out of a reorganisation of regional Civil Defence administration, involving the phasing out of regional Civil Defence offices, civilian employee typists in those offices will be redeployed to military posts as close as possible to their existing work locations, if suitable vacancies exist. The Sligo office is the only location where a military post is not available in the immediate area. The issue in relation to that office is currently under active consideration.