Question:
105 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the sale of each of the six Army barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8818/00]
Written Answers. - Army Barracks.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:215 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total amount of money raised to date from the disposal of military barracks which were closed in July 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9179/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 215 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. Five of the barracks have been vacated while the sixth – Clancy Barracks – will be evacuated this year.
I have decided to dispose of Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, to Cork County Council for economic development of the site in conjunction with IDA Ireland. The agreed price is £767,000. The lands will be developed and marketed as a strategic industrial site to attract inward investment. This development will greatly assist in the continuing revitalisation of Fermoy and will greatly enhance its potential for future industrial development.
With regard to Ballincollig, the independent consultants appointed to draw up an integrated action area plan for the former barracks undertook a rigorous process of public consultation as part of their commission. The integrated plan for the property is now complete and was presented by the consultants in the past week. The plan provides for a wide range of community, amenity, residential and commercial uses in the future development of this substantial property. My Department will shortly submit the integrated plan to Cork County Council for consideration in the context of a variation to the existing Cork County development plan. The property will be put on the market following its adoption into the Cork County development plan.
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. A tender competition was held in October 1999 for the appointment of selling agents to undertake the sale of the property. The Department, having considered the offers received, decided to re-invite tenders for selling agents and a decision will be made in this matter shortly.
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, a tender competition was arranged for the appointment of independent consultants to prepare an area action plan in respect of the former barrack lands. A number of the proposals received were shortlisted and those consultants placed on the shortlist made presentations before a selection committee on 16 February 2000. It is expected that the consultants will be appointed shortly. The consultants selected 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.
In relation to Castleblayney, I decided to sell the site to the North Eastern Health Board for £600,000. Pending completion of the legal and financial formalities, a caretaker's agreement has been completed between the North Eastern Health Board and my Department and the former barracks was handed over to the board on 9 February 2000 on foot of this agreement.
It is envisaged that the child care project proposed by the health board for the site will provide for 45 permanent appointments and a sum in excess of £1 million will be invested on the provision of the necessary facilities. In addition, the annual revenue to the town is estimated to be in the region of £12 million. The proposal from the NEHB includes a gymnasium, an all-weather pitch and a swimming pool. I understand that these facilities would be made available to the local community when not in use for child care purposes. As indicated, the disposal of each location is proceeding and, while no funds have as yet been generated, it is expected that up to £50 million will be realised from the sale of the barracks. The moneys raised will be used primarily for re-equipment and refurbishment within the Defence Forces.