Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Properties.

Billy Timmins

Question:

81 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has carried out an audit of its lands which may be suitable for handover to local authorities for the construction of social housing; if so, the location of these lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20501/99]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

92 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the disposal of surplus military property. [20483/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 92 together.

The Government, on 15 July 1998, approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks which are considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question are located at Fermoy, Ballincollig, Naas, Kildare, Castleblayney and Clancy Barracks, Dublin.

With the exception of Clancy Barracks, which will be vacated by 1 July 2000, the other five barracks have been evacuated.

I propose to meet members of Fermoy Urban District Council and officials of Cork County Council, on 21 October 1999, to discuss a tender from Cork County Council relating to Fitzgerald Camp.

In relation to Castleblayney, I have decided to sell the site to the North-Eastern Health Board for £600,000. The legal and financial formalities have yet to be finalised. In the meantime I propose to allow the North-Eastern Health Board occupy the property under a caretaker agreement.

As regards Devoy Barracks, agreement has been reached between my Department and Naas Urban District Council on the transfer of part of the property to the council for local purposes. The balance of the property has been re-zoned for housing in line with the Development Plan for Naas UDC, which was adopted on 29 May, 1999 and this property will be offered for sale in the near future. It is proposed to invite tenders for the appointment of selling agents in the immediate future.

Arising from a request from the Department of Foreign Affairs for accommodation to house Kosovar refugees, I offered that Department the opportunity to inspect the five vacated barracks to check out their feasibility or otherwise for the accommodation of the refugees. Currently Magee Barracks, Kildare, is being used for this purpose on a temporary basis. In the interim, tenders from independent consultants are under consideration for the preparation of an area action plan in respect of the former barrack lands. The consultants will submit a report within three months of appointment. The sale of the barracks will proceed as soon as is practicable following evaluation of that report.

Following a tender competition for the appointment of independent consultants to draw up an integrated action area plan for Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, consultants were appointed on 23 August 1999. That plan is due for completion by 23 November 1999, and the property will be disposed of following evaluation of that report.

In addition, as a contribution to alleviating the shortage of land for housing, especially in major cities and towns, I decided that the following properties adjoining barracks should be sold:

–Susan's Field, Collins Barracks, Cork (6 acres)

–Old Married Quarters, Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick (2.5 acres) and

–Mellowes Field, Renmore Barracks, Galway (10 acres).

An area of 1.5 acres of the barracks in Waterford City, which is used by the FCA, is also to be sold. The four properties will be disposed of as soon as possible.

I am aware that there is constant pressure on the relevant authorities with regard to suitable land for housing and it is considered that the sale of these prime properties in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford will go some way towards relieving that pressure.

Jack Wall

Question:

82 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to the proposed sale of the houses at Orchard Park, The Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20435/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The position is that it was found necessary by the Chief State Solicitor's office to seek counsel's opinion on matters relating to the sale of these properties. This opinion is now to hand and is at present being studied. Following this process, which will be completed shortly, my Department will be contacting the residents to progress the matter further.