Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 4

Written Answers. - Army Barracks.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

98 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the position in respect of each of the military barracks which were closed in July 1998; the use in respect of each installation; the proposed use; the cost of maintenance, security or other costs in each case in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20480/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

128 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the cost of private security firms in protecting closed barracks; the barracks, if any, which have gone to tender; the future plans, for these sites; the consultation which is taking place with local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20512/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

132 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the cost to date of private security firms in protecting closed barracks; if any of the barracks have gone to tender; the future plans, if any, for these sites; the consultation which is taking place with local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20517/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

158 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the cost to date of providing private security for closed barracks. [20596/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

159 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the situation regarding the sale of Castleblayney, Fermoy, Devoy and Magee barracks. [20597/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 128, 132, 158 and 159 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.

Following the Government decision, I had consultations with public and community representatives in each of the five locations in which barracks were subsequently evacuated. In addition to those initial meetings, I met with members of the Oireachtas and local councillors in relation to Castleblayney Barracks on 3 February, 3 March, and 15 July 1999; local Councillors and officials from Naas Urban District Council on 3 March, and 10 March 1999, in relation to Devoy Barracks, Naas, and I have met with councillors and an official of Kildare County Council on 14 September 1999, in relation to Magee Barracks, Kildare.

Discussions also took place between my officials and officials of Cork County Council on 2 December, 1998, in relation to Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, and Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig. I propose meeting with 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.

The total cost, to date, of security and essential maintenance and other services at the vacated military barracks is as follows :

Location	Security Costs	Maintenance(including theprovision oflighting etc.)
Devoy Barracks	£130,213.66	£2,463
Fitzgerald Camp	£90,130.48	£11,221
Castleblayney	£79,609.52	£5,000
Murphy Barracks	£176,542.80	£18,963
Magee Barracks	£88,920.48	£7,156

It should be noted that a portion of Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy is occupied by a battalion of the FCA.

The costs for security at Magee Barracks have been borne by the Eastern Health Board since that property was handed over to accommodate Kosovan refugees on 12 May, 1999.

The military authorities have estimated that the savings to date on security duty allowances amount to over £375,000. In addition, there have been significant savings on utilities such as telephone and electricity charges.

It is expected that up to £50 million will be realised from the sale of the barracks.