Vol. 402 No. 2
9 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline his plans to improve the quality of Defence Forces living and working accommodation; and if a major allocation will be included in his Department's Estimate in 1991 to improve same.
Significant improvements have been made in the standard of living and working accommodation for the Defence Forces in recent years. An example is the new barracks which was recently opened in Cavan. There are major works in progress in Monaghan Barracks, Clancy Barracks, Dublin, Finner Camp, County Donegal and Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.
There are further major works planned for McKee Barracks, Dublin; Naval Base, Haulbowline; Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin and other locations. I am hopeful that significant amounts will be provided in next year's Estimate for the Department's building programme.
Notwithstanding the Minister's comments, the Commission report states very clearly that the standard of conditions is very poor. The Minister might comment on the statement in the report that Spike Island, which had been deemed satisfactory for Naval Service personnel, had to be upgraded before being occupied as a prison. Is this not an indictment of the Government's policy, particularly in the light of the cutbacks on maintenance in the Defence budget in the past few years? Will the Minister give a commitment that major financial provisions will be made in the forthcoming budget?
I said in the last part of my reply that major works are planned at Haulbowline Naval Base. They are badly needed.
Surely it must be possible to be more specific on the increases contemplated at this stage, within a short time of finalising figures for the forthcoming year's expenditure. While there are some works going on at different locations, they are touching on only a small portion of the barracks. The extent to which soldiers are living and working in substandard accommodation is a major problem in practically every barracks.
I have information here which sets out the high level of activity in this area. Four major improvement projects have recently been completed, seven major improvement works are in progress or about to commence and four major improvement works are in the course of planning. I can furnish this information to the Deputy.
