Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2006

Thursday, 23 February 2006

Ceisteanna (51, 52)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

22 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Defence the position with regard to decentralisation in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7190/06]

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

44 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff within his Department due to decentralise under Government proposals; the locations to which they will be moving; the position with regard to this decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7189/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence (Mr. O’Dea)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 44 together.

The Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement on 3 December 2003 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.

While the Office of Public Works has identified a suitable site in Newbridge for the Department's new headquarters, negotiations on the acquisition of the site have not yet been completed.

A total of 385 personnel, of whom 64 are currently serving in the Department, have volunteered to relocate to Newbridge.

Question No. 23 answered with QuestionNo. 7.