John Browne
Question:116 Mr. Browne (Wexford): asked the Minister for Defence when funds will be made available to Wexford County Council for the provision of a civil defence headquarters in the country. [2407/98]
Written Answers. - Civil Defence.
Following the political changes in the international environment in the late eighties, there has been a reorientation of Civil Defence towards providing community based services on a current basis. As a consequence, provision of capital expenditure for control centres or other purpose built buildings has not been possible and, accordingly, no new buildings have been sanctioned since 1990. It is considered that each local authority should, as far as possible, provide adequate accommodation and training facilities for its own Civil Defence organisation. Some local authorities have done this by utilising existing buildings, as Civil Defence training usually takes place outside of normal office hours.
The Department of Defence is, however, anxious to assist local authorities in this respect and is examining military accommodation to see if it is adaptable to Civil Defence use. In this regard, Wexford County Council has been requested to examine the feasibility of utilising Wexford barracks for joint Civil Defence and military purposes, thus obviating the necessity for capital expenditure on a new facility. This matter will be further pursued with the council in the immediate future.