Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 2

Written Answers. - Air Corps Accommodation.

Nora Owen

Question:

79 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Defence if he has received a report on the situation regarding the accommodation of the Air Corps in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; the plans, if any, he has to modernise this accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9266/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

134 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he has received a report on the situation regarding the accommodation in the Air Corps in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; the plans, if any, he has to modernise this accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9326/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 134 together.

Accommodation requirements at Casement Aerodrome are the subject of ongoing review, particularly in the light of the need to cater for personnel in the Air Corps Headquarters and at Gormanston who are due to be relocated to the Aerodrome. Contracts amounting to £3.4 million have been completed at Casement Aerodrome since 1996. These included accommodation and mess improvements for officers; new ministerial air transport services (MATS) building; new engineering wing offices; new flight training school; up-grading of hangars; and renovation of the gymnasium.

Projects with an estimated cost of £1.6 million are currently in progress. These include further hangar refurbishment; up-grading of the refuelling installation; installing two anemometers; re-roofing an engineer stores and a new Garda Air Support Unit Building which is shared by the Air Corps.

Projects with an estimated final cost of more than £5 million are due to begin in 1999. These include a new hangar; re-roofing of hangar No. 4 and the engineer stores; and a new transport workshops. In addition various minor works will be undertaken to improve office and workshop facilities, locker rooms, toilets and showers.

I am fully committed to the ongoing development of Casement Aerodrome and 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.