asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans to further improve the standard of accommodation in Army posts and barracks in the Border area; if he will state when and where any such improvements will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Accommodation in Border Area.
9.
There are plans for the provision of improved accommodation at such barracks and posts. These plans are being implemented on an ongoing basis.
Can the Minister give details of where these improvements are being made and when the accommodation will be available to Army personnel?
Improvements are planned for Cavan, where there will be a new military post, Gormanston camp, Lifford, Finner camp and Dundalk barracks. They will be taking place over the next year and in future years. It is an ongoing process. There is constant work going on all the time.
Can the Minister tell us the total number of Army personnel he hopes to accommodate in these improved areas?
In some cases there will not be any extra personnel but merely improvements made for existing personnel. In Cavan military barracks there will be accommodation for a company plus and in the other cases I mentioned it is a question of improving existing accommodation for the personnel serving in those stations.
Can the Minister tell the House how much money is provided in the Estimates for this type of improvement?
I do not have the Book of Estimates with me but if the Deputy consults it he will see how much money has been provided. For improvements and new works it is approximately £8.2 million, a substantial increase on previous years.
What is the present position regarding Cavan barracks?
Planning is proceeding.
Planning has been proceeding for the past ten years. Could the Minister give the House more information?
Planning has not been proceeding for the past ten years. First of all, there was difficulty in site acquisition. The original site turned out to be unsuitable. Another site was obtained subsequently after some difficulty. The original site was militarily undesirable and unsuitable. It was in a saucer surrounded by hills. A suitable site was obtained subsequently. There were title difficulties which have been resolved and the matter has been referred now to the technical people to start the drawings. We hope to make substantial progress and perhaps get to tender stage at the end of next year or thereabouts.