Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 8

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Headquarters.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

47 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline, in respect of the Second Line Reserve, the number of new centres/sub-unit headquarters opened in the period from October 1990 to date; if he will further outline their location and the sub-units occupying same; whether sub-unit headquarters are located at (1) Shannon town, (2) Ballymun, (3) Skerries, (4) Balbriggan, (5) Portmarnock, (6) Leixlip, (7) Lucan, (8) Ardee and (9) Clones; if he will further outline the number and location of sub-unit headquarters closed in the period December 1990 to date; and if he will make a statement on the policy initiatives adopted by him in the area having regard to the availability of funding and demographic changes.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Daly)

As the reply to the first three parts of this question are in the form of a tabular statement, I propose to circulate it in the Official Report.

The location of FCA and Slua Muirí units is kept under constant review and is determined having regard to, inter alia, availability of funds and demographic changes.

Following is the statement:

(1) Six new centres were opened during the period in question as follows:—

Location	Units
Crosshill,County Monaghan	E Company 8 Infantry Battalion (Headquarters)
Castlebar,County Mayo	B Company 18th Infantry Battalion (Training Centre)
Athenry,County Galway	C Company 25 Infantry Battalion (Headquarters)
Castlepollard,County Westmeath	B Company 17 Infantry Battalion (Training Centre)
Oola,County Limerick	3rd Field Company Supply and Transport (Training Centre)
Castlecomer,County Kilkenny	C Company 9 Infantry Battalion (Headquarters)

(2) There are no sub-units at the nine locations mentioned in the question.

(3) Ten sub-units were closed during the period in question. They were located as follows:— Bailieboro, County Cavan; Shrule, County Roscommon; Fanavolty, County Donegal; Rathlea, County Sligo; Corballa, County Sligo; Beltra, County Sligo; Eyeries, County Cork; Solohead, County Tipperary; Mullinavat, County Kilkenny and Ballyragget, County Kilkenny.