Vol. 495 No. 1
152 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the discussions, if any, he or his officials have had with County Kildare VEC, the Teacher's Union of Ireland or the Department of Education and Science regarding the future deployment of the civilian teachers who until recently worked in the army apprentice school in Devoy Barracks; if so, the outcome of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19288/98]
153 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the future plans of his Department regarding the training of technical personnel, particularly in the trade area, to meet the needs of the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19289/98]
154 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the steps, if any, he has taken for the construction of new technical training facilities in the Curragh to replace those lost in Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare; if so, the cost to his Department; the likely completion date; the duration for which he envisages these facilities will be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19290/98]
155 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has regarding the completion of training for the apprentices who were trained in the Army apprentice school, Naas, County Kildare, up until the recent closure of that facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19291/98]
156 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dismantling of educational and technical facilities in the army apprentice school, Devoy Barracks, commenced immediately after his announcement on barrack closures; if he gave his approval for this course of action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19292/98]
157 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, prior to his announcement on barrack closures on 15 July 1998, the Army apprentice school, which occupies part of the Devoy Barracks site, was, with minor alterations, capable of catering for approximately 600 apprentices per year doing block release courses under the new apprenticeship scheme; if so, the discussions, if any, his officials had with the Department of Education and Science or any other public body with a view to achieving the most efficient utilisation of these publicly owned facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19293/98]
158 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to enter into negotiations with Naas Urban District Council with a view to seeking a change in the zoning of the Devoy Barracks site; if so, the length of time he envisages it will take to achieve a satisfactory outcome to these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19294/98]
159 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to sell the Devoy Barracks site in Naas, County Kildare, while it is still zoned for education and social facilities by Naas Urban District Council under the current Naas development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19295/98]
160 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the date of sale for the site of Devoy Barracks in Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19296/98]
161 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he will make land at Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare, available to the Department of Education and Science for educational purposes. [19338/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160 and 161 together.
The ongoing need for apprentices will be reviewed regularly and apprentices will continue to be recruited as required. Both the number and type of apprentices recruited are determined by the Defence Forces requirement for particular skills. It is intended that, in future, apprentices will be trained externally and only very specialised apprentice training will take place within the Defence Forces.
There have been initial discussions with Kildare VEC, the Teachers Union of Ireland and the Department of Education and Science regarding the transfer of the civilian apprentice teachers to the Curragh to complete the training of the current group of apprentices.
Personnel attached to the Army Apprentice School have been re-located from Devoy Barracks, Naas to the Curragh Camp and equipment and machinery belonging to the school will also be transferred to the latter location. Arrangements are being made to upgrade a number of existing buildings at the Curragh Camp at an estimated cost of £230,000. The works are expected to be completed early next year and while initially they will permit the completion of training of the apprentices re-located from Devoy Barracks in the longer term the facilities will be used for general technical training in the Defence Forces.
Some discussions were held with the Department of Education and Science regarding the possible use of Devoy Barracks for apprentice training by that Department but I understand that it was not considered to be a feasible option. To date no application has been received from that Department seeking land at Devoy Barracks for any other form of educational institution.
It is proposed to offer Devoy Barracks for sale by public tender as soon as possible. I would propose to meet with Naas Urban District Council to discuss the situation in regard to the sale, including the question of zoning, at the earliest opportunity.
