asked the Minister for Defence if he will give (a) the total number of halls required for F.C.A. purposes throughout the country; (b) the number of halls it is proposed to build for these purposes; (c) the number to be allocated in County Tipperary; (d) the type of hall it is proposed to erect; (e) the number and allocation of halls already constructed or taken over; and (f) the cause of delay in implementing the promise that halls would be built or provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Halls for F.C.A. Purposes.
I presume that the Deputy refers to permanent halls. At the inception of the F.C.A. it was visualised that 500 halls would be required immediately and that requirements would eventually amount to 1,000 halls. The question of building permanent halls is in abeyance and for the present over 1,000 rented or rent-free premises are being used in addition to State-owned buildings.
(a) The total number of halls required for F.C.A. purposes throughout the country cannot be accurately given owing to fluctuations in the strength of the F.C.A. in the different centres.
(b) For the reason stated at (a) it is not possible to state the number of halls it is proposed to build. Fifty standard Army huts have been allocated to meet F.C.A. requirements in centres where suitable premises are not available.
(c) In addition to three suitable buildings acquired in County Tipperary five huts have to date been allocated to that county.
(d) The plans for the permanent structures have not been finally approved. The standard Army hut is constructed of timber and measures 60'× 20'× 7'4" high (at the eaves).
(e) None of the huts has yet been erected. Eleven premises have been purchased and five are in process of purchase for F.C.A. use. Three of these are in County Tipperary.
(f) The erection of permanent halls was postponed in favour of more urgent proposals.