asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a full statement as to the cost and purpose of the Army training camp at Knockalisheen, near Limerick, indicating the future prospects of its use, since it has not been used for the past four years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Training Camp.
The Limerick-Shannon area is regarded as being of considerable strategic importance and during the 1939-45 emergency, troops had to be stationed there under most unsatisfactory conditions. Premises were rented in 21 different places and timber huts had to be erected to supplement the accommodation thus provided. The Department's property at Knockalisheen, County Clare, was acquired in order that troops could be quartered in the area at short notice in the future and the timber huts, which would otherwise have had to be stored in a dismantled condition, were withdrawn and re-erected on the property. In addition, concrete huts were erected; water supply and sewerage disposal systems, electric lighting, roads and paths were provided; existing farm buildings were adapted; and the residence purchased with the property was reconstructed. The cost of the work was £51,400. The extent to which the camp will be used in the future will depend on military requirements.