I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 110 together.
The total cost to date of security at the vacated military barracks is as follows: Ballincollig – £288,776.73; Castleblayney – £103,398.15; Fermoy – £152,927.35; Naas – £193,344.54; Kildare – £88,920.48. Other costs relating to maintenance and so forth incurred to date in respect of Devoy Barracks, Naas, total £7,226.02.
The costs for security at Magee Barracks have been borne by the Eastern Health Board since that property was handed over to accommodate Kosovar refugees on 12 May 1999. Castleblayney Military Barracks was transferred to the North Eastern Health Board on a caretaker basis on 9 February 2000 and no further security costs will fall to be met by my Department in relation to that property.
Significant savings have arisen since the evacuation of the five barracks placed under private security arrangements. On military security duty allowances alone, it is estimated that savings to date amount to almost £570,000. In addition, there have been significant savings on utility costs such as telephone, gas and electricity charges at each of the evacuated barracks which, for example, would have amounted to approximately £93,000 in the case of Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig.