Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1986 > Committee on Public Expenditure > Report No. 18 - Prize Bond Scheme

Appendix I

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE SUBMISSION

NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

1.The civilian and military staffs of the Department are at present accommodated in a number of premises in the Dublin area. The main offices are located in State-owned premises at Parkgate and at Colaiste Caoimhin, Glasnevin, and, (as a temporary measure pending construction of the new headquarters) in rented accommodation in Park House, North Circular Road. The approximate distribution of the staff is as follows - Parkgate: 350; Colaiste Caoimhin: 270; Park House: 130; other: 140; total 890 (390 military, 500 civilian).

2.The offices of the Minister, the Secretary and the Heads of the Military Branches of the Department are located in the Parkgate premises. These consist of one large building originally constructed about 200 years ago as a hospital together with a collection of smaller separate buildings (isolation wards etc.) and huts on both side of a main road (Infirmary Road). There is considerable overcrowding in some offices which has been tolerable only in the light of the prospect of an early move to modern premises. There is a serious deterioration in the fabric of the buildings due to age, dampness and widespread dry-rot; extensive maintenance over the years has been able only to slow down somewhat the inevitable decay. It has been necessary to undertake redecoration and repair work constantly in attempts to offset the effects of failing plasterwork, decaying timber, leaking roofs, etc.. Many of the offices, the corridors and the toilets are nonetheless in poor condition and are not only unsatisfactory in normal usage but are a source of embarrassment during visits by foreign Military Attaches and high-ranking military personnel, representatives of international companies, and important visitors to the Minister. Some of the smaller buildings at Parkgate are now beyond economic repair.

3.The premises at Colaiste Caoimhin comprise a three-storey building on about 4 acres. The building was originally constructed as a residential teacher-training establishment and was taken over by the Department of Defence during the Second World War. It is completely unsuited to the requirements of modern office accommodation. The heating system is inadequate and due to the nature of its construction in building is wasteful of energy. The electrical system is pressed to the limit of its load capacity and in any event requires complete replacement. The Park House premises were originally designed for hotel use. The heating/ventilation system there is not suited to high-density occupation and has been the subject of continual complaints from staff.

4.A proposal to provide a new headquarters office of the Department on the State owned site on the east side of Infirmary Road was initiated in the early 1970’s and following lengthy study by the Office of Public Works in conjunction with a firm of Architects and other consultants detailed plans and drawings and contract documents were prepared. Sanction for the invitation of tenders was obtained from the Department of Finance in February, 1979. For financial reasons the matter was deferred. In September, 1985 however, the Government decided that steps should be taken to proceed with the project.

5.The Office of Public Works are preparing to invite tenders for the building the cost of which is expected to be of the order of £20m. The intention is that the project will be funded by the private sector (banks and/or financial institutions which will pay the builder as the work progresses. A decision will not be made on the particular financial package until tenders for the building project have been received and assessed. It is not anticipated that there will by any difficulty in obtaining the necessary funds.

March, 1986.