Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 October 2025
12. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of his Department’s staff using the Trinity Point building, the grades of those staff, the percentage of those staff using the building on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52263/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decision on decentralisation provided for the transfer of the Department's Dublin-based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, County Kildare in November 2010. The Department also has decentralised offices in Renmore, Co. Galway and in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
Following a review of the decentralisation programme in 2011, the Government reaffirmed the requirement it had established as part of the decentralisation programme that appropriate arrangements were to be made to provide for a permanent presence for the Department of Defence in Dublin.
In 2011, the Department of Defence Dublin offices were originally based in South Leinster Street and subsequently moved to offices in Clonmel Place. In December 2023 the Department of Defence relocated its Dublin offices to Trinity Point, which is now an OPW owned building. The Department of Defence has been provided with the second floor, which includes meeting and conference rooms, offering a full suite of ICT services for Department staff.
The floor is divided into two distinct sections. One section is exclusively dedicated for use by the Department’s DF Tribunal legal team, the External Oversight Body executive and staff assigned to implementing Independent Review Group recommendations. The remaining section is used as a work hub available for use by all Department officials, across all grades, that are based in decentralised locations, when required to attend Dublin for official Department business. The offices in Trinity Point attended by the Secretary General. Members of the Management Board and other senior personnel are regularly in attendance as required.
The Department has a blended working policy and staff attendance on a daily basis is in line with this policy and requirements to be at their own base and as business requirements demand.
