Vol. 501 No. 2
61 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, he will take to improve the accommodation for the entire helicopter wing of the Air Corps which is occupying a two storey pre-fabricated building which is disintegrating after 17 years in existence, having been constructed to last for four years and to accommodate one squadron, not four. [4909/99]
71 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Defence the type of working and living accommodation to be provided for the personnel of the Air Corps unit who will be relocated from Gormanston to Baldonnel. [4863/99]
96 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the way in which he will accommodate the influx of personnel to Baldonnel in view of his direction to separate Air Corps headquarters from Defence Forces headquarters and relocate it to Baldonnel in view of the sub-standard tem porary accommodation there; if he has satisfied himself that personnel already in Baldonnel will not be moved into downgraded accommodation as a result of this move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4866/99]
99 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Garda air support unit is being provided with new purpose built accommodation at Casement Aerodrome while the Air Corps helicopters unit is forced to house more than 50 personnel in a dilapidated 25 year old building; and his views on whether the comparable treatment, in terms of accommodation provided, will contribute further to the difficulties experienced by the Air Corps in retaining experienced air crew. [4859/99]
106 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Defence if the poor living and working conditions in Baldonnel are a contributing factor in the loss of pilots and technicians from the Air Corps; and when he will provide proper accommodation for the pilots and maintenance personnel on the base. [4868/99]
110 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the way in which he will accommodate the influx of personnel to Baldonnel following the decision to relocate the Air Corps unit from Gormanston to Baldonnel and in view of the existing numbers in Baldonnel who are accommodated in sub-standard temporary buildings. [4864/99]
175 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Garda air support unit is being provided with new purpose built accommodation at Casement Aerodrome, while the Air Corps helicopters unit is forced to house more than 50 personnel in a dilapidated 25 year old building; and his views on whether the comparable treatment, in terms of accommodation provided, will contribute further to the difficulties experienced by the Air Corps in retaining experienced air crew. [4915/99]
179 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the type of working and living accommodation to be provided for personnel from the Air Corps unit who will be relocated from Gormanston to Baldonnel. [4919/99]
180 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the way in which he will accommodate the influx of personnel to Baldonnel following his direction to relocate the Air Corps unit at Gormanston to Baldonnel in view of the existing numbers in Baldonnel who are accommodated in sub-standard temporary buildings. [4920/99]
182 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the way in which he will accommodate the influx of personnel to Baldonnel following his direction to separate Air Corps Headquarters from Defence Forces Headquarters and relocate it to Baldonnel in view of the existing numbers in Baldonnel who are accommodated in sub-standard temporary buildings; if he has satisfied himself that no personnel already in Baldonnel will be moved into downgraded accommodation as a result of this move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4922/99]
184 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if the poor living and working conditions in Baldonnel are a contributing factor in the loss of pilots and technicians from the Air Corps; and when he will provide proper accommodation on the base. [4924/99]
203 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, he will take to improve the accommodation for the entire helicopter wing of the Air Corps which is occupying a two storey pre-fabricated building which is disintegrating after 17 years in existence, having been constructed to last for four years and to accommodate one squadron, not four. [4945/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 71, 96, 99, 106, 110, 175, 179, 180, 182, 184 and 203 together.
The wideranging set of recommendations which emerged from the Price Waterhouse review of the Air Corps completed last year included two relating to the relocation of components of the corps. Specifically these were that the Air Corps Headquarters should be relocated to Casement Aerodrome and that the Air Support Squadron should be transferred there from Gormanston. It is my intention that both those recommendations will be acted on as soon as possible as part of the plan to implement the review group's findings.
As I have indicated in the House, the Government considered the Price Waterhouse review of the Air Corps and the Naval Service last year. To deal with all of the issues raised in the review, a detailed planning process was initiated to give effect to the Government's decision. The Chief of Staff has been asked, in conjunction with the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps and the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service, to submit detailed implementation plans for my consideration to put in place the necessary effectiveness and efficiency measures in their respective areas. The proposed implementation plan will address the relocation aspects along with all the other detailed operational and developmental recommendations as part of a comprehensive plan for a more effective Air Corps and Naval Service.
It is obvious that satisfactory accommodation will have to be provided for personnel incoming to Casement Aerodrome and an assessment of existing facilities and additional requirements there will be undertaken by the military authorities in that context. Where the upgrading of facilities or provision of new premises is found to be necessary, appropriate action will be taken to have the work carried out as quickly as possible in the light of competing demands and financial resources available. I am confident the challenge of completing the moves to Casement will be met by the Air Corps with the same degree of determination and efficiency demonstrated by their Army colleagues in the equally formidable task of relocating troops from the barracks which closed last year and that the outcome will be similarly successful.
I reject the implication in some of the questions that overall there is a poor standard of accommodation for personnel stationed at the Aerodrome or that it has an adverse effect on personnel numbers. In recent years substantial expenditure – almost £3.5 million – has been invested in the improvement of infrastructure and facilities there including new mess and accommodation facilities, up-grading of hangars, repairing the gymnasium and new engineering and flight training areas. The thrust to modernise the aerodrome is continuing and provision is made in the 1999 Estimates for further hangar refurbishment and for the commencement of the building of a new hangar, transport workshops and a new operational building for Air Corps and Garda personnel involved in the Garda air support aircraft. The cost of this latter building will be shared by my Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
With regard to the helicopter wing building mentioned specifically, the position is that while the building has been regularly maintained it is now showing the signs of deterioration due to its age – 17 years. However, as I mentioned, accommodation requirements for personnel at the aerodrome and those due to be relocated there are being examined and will be reported on by the military authorities and the helicopter wing building will be included in that process.
I am confident that, with the combined support of the Air Corps and other military personnel involved, the forthcoming implementation plan will become a worthwhile reality and that the corps will be a revitalised, modern organisation with the highest standards of efficiency and effectiveness.
I am conscious some of that reply is repeated so we will concentrate on the new material, if possible.
I welcome the Minister's statement that it will be assessed and reviewed because I disagree with him. The standard of accommodation is poor in some instances. Who is assessing the situation and what is the timescale for reporting to the Minister on it?
The normal procedure is that the military authorities as a whole, particularly through their engineering corps, visit the areas, assess what accommodation is required, make proposals for refurbishment or new facilities and come back with a bill. I am only involved when the costs are estimated to see whether we can agree to them. This is a matter of priority and whatever funds are necessary to carry out that refurbishment of facilities will be dedicated immediately towards that end.
I agree that the capital expenditure is a huge drain, particularly when one is dealing with very old facilities. Bearing that in mind, will the Minister agree that if a private company was seeking to colocate in Baldonnel, perhaps it could assist in getting some capital projects off the ground? Has any private company approached the Minister since he took office with a view to setting up a private terminal there?
As usual, Deputy Timmins is fairly well briefed on any meetings that I might have in this regard.
It is a shot in the dark.
His question is quite pertinent. In recent times a number of approaches have been made to me by private consortia as to whether it would be open to them to use some of these facilities. That matter has to be considered. Primarily, my job is to look after the interests and development of the Air Corps. There is a considered view, however, that we have facilities which could be used to our benefit. As the Deputy rightly pointed out, resources which could be obtained in that way would be used to build up the resource in Baldonnel. That matter is being considered.
I have had meetings in the past couple of weeks. Since there is now so much talk about meetings the Minister might have, it is as well to make these known very early rather than in a few years' time.
Very wise.
I am delighted to hear that information. It would be a very welcome development. I wish to assure the Minister that my suggestion was purely a shot in the dark.
I am perfectly happy to accept Deputy Timmins's comment—
He is underestimating himself.
—in the same way as Deputy Fitzgerald was prepared to accept my answer a few minutes ago in relation to coincidences.
I am not sure that I am.
