Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 4

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Property.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

111 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence the body responsible for the maintenance of Ratra House, Phoenix Park; if his attention has been drawn to the rundown state of the building; if it is planned to transfer the Civil Defence school out of that premises; if so, the location of the transfer; the future use planned for the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3938/02]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Normal routine maintenance of the buildings currently occupied by the Civil Defence branch at Ratra House is carried out by the Office of Public Works at the request of my Department.

The Deputy will be aware that, in the context of the White Paper on Defence, the Government decided to decentralise the Civil Defence branch of my Department to Roscrea, County Tipperary. The Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision of official accommodation for Departments, is currently in discussions with the owners of a building in Roscrea. I understand these discussions are ongoing.

Before the decision to decentralise to Roscrea was taken, consideration was given by the Office of Public Works to the refurbishment of Ratra House. However, these plans have been put on hold until the building has been vacated.

When the Civil Defence school and branch are decentralised to Roscrea, it is proposed to hand over the property for use by the Office of the President.