asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline in relation to military barracks in the Dublin area (a) the number of, and the amount of accommodation available in each barracks; (b) if there are any plans to improve any of these barracks and, if so, if he will give details; (c) if there are any plans to replace any of these barracks and, if so, if he will give details; (d) if the accommodation is adequate and of a high standard; and (e) if there were any proposals in the last ten years to replace any of these barracks and, if so, if he will give details and the reasons they were not replaced.
Written Answers. - Dublin Army Accommodation.
310.
Particulars of the accommodation available in military barracks and posts in the Dublin area are briefly as follows:
|
Name |
Accommodation available (all ranks) |
Approximate acreage |
|
1. Collins Barracks |
580 |
19 |
|
2. Clancy Barracks |
400 |
13 |
|
3. McKee Barracks |
480 |
45 |
|
4. Cathal Brugha Barracks |
1,100 |
50 |
|
5. Griffith Barracks |
80 |
8 |
|
6. Casement Aerodrome |
425 |
440 |
There is an on-going programme of improving all occupied military properties in so far as resources permit. Details of improvements recently carried out in the Dublin properties are being compiled and will be communicated to the Deputy, together with an indication of other improvements in hands or proposed to be carried out in the near future.
The accommodation is generally adequate and of a satisfactory standard. There are no plans at present to replace any of the barracks. The question of providing a new military complex outside Dublin to replace one of the Dublin city barracks was studied during the period mentioned. However, a Dublin barracks would not be available for disposal until all the personnel, equipment and stores there and the families of personnel occupying married quarters at the barracks had been accommodated elsewhere. The financial and service implications of this would have been onerous. Because of these considerations and the increased strength of the Permanent Defence Force the question was not pursued. All military barracks in the Dublin area are required for use by the Defence Forces and will continue to be so required for the foreseeable future.