Michael D. Higgins
Question:47 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the position with regard to the sale of each of the six Army barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13679/00]
Other Questions. - Army Barracks.
Deirdre Clune
Question:73 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence if, in light of the demand for barrack accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers, and the demands of local communities, he has revised the amount which he says will become available from the sale of Army barracks; if a new assessment has now been made in this regard; the implications for investment in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13718/00]
Jack Wall
Question:89 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if, in regard to the six closed Army barracks, he will say which have been passed on to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform or is intended to pass on to provide accommodation for asylum seekers; the impact this will have on the proposed sale; the consultation there has been with local authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13688/00]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:132 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if, in light of the demand for barrack accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers, and the demands of local communities, he has revised the amount which he says will become available from the sale of Army barracks; if a new assessment has been made in this regard; the implications for investment in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13838/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:138 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current position in regard to the sale or use of premises, arising from the decision to close a number of military barracks in July 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13846/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:139 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current position on the present and proposed use of the former Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare, which closed in July 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13847/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 73, 89, 132, 138, and 139 together by agreement.
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 the IDA. The agreed price is £767,000. 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 its commission. The integrated plan for the property has been completed and was presented to my Department and is now with Cork County Council for integration in its 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 and arrangements are being made to put it up for sale.
In relation to the urgent need for accommodation for refugees, the vacated Magee Barracks, Kildare, has been used to accommodate Kosovar refugees since May of last year and arrangements are also now under way for the accommodation of asylum seekers at that site. 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 short listed and those consultants placed on the short list made presentations before a selection committee on 16 February 2000. These proposals are under consideration.
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 in the provision of the necessary facilities. In addition, the annual revenue to the town is estimated to be in the region of £1.2 million. The proposal from the NEHB includes a gymnasium, an all-weather pitch and a swimming pool. I understand these facilities will be made available to the local community when not in use for child care purposes.
Clancy Barracks, Dublin, will be evacuated later this year when alternative accommodation becomes available. I expect the sale of the property will proceed in 2001. As indicated, the disposal of barracks is proceeding and it is expected that in excess of £50 million will be realised from the sale of the properties. The moneys raised will be used primarily for re-equipment and refurbishment within the Defence Forces.
Three hundred Kosovar refugees are residing in Magee Barracks, Kildare, and it is also proposed to house 150 asylum seekers there. The people of Kildare have accepted this decision. Will the Minister ensure the report on the proposals for this barracks is progressed as quickly as possible? The people of Kildare think the process will be slowed down because of the latest changes. In fairness to these people, a quick decision should be made in this regard to give them the impetus to put forward their ideas for the development and advancement of the area so that facilities can be provided for everyone involved, including the refugees and asylum seekers. I ask for a commitment from the Minister in this regard.
The Minister previously quoted a sum of £50 million which will become available from the sale of Army barracks. Will that amount have to be revised given the short-term change of use of some of the barracks, for example, in Kildare?
I have revised the amount substantially upwards, in excess of £60 million, notwithstanding the other difficulties. I did not anticipate the problems which arose as far as Magee Barracks is concerned. I appreciate the co-operation of the community and public representatives in Kildare, notwithstanding their disappointment, and mine, that we were unable to proceed with the plans, on which I had consulted with Deputy Wall, local representatives and the commercial and other voluntary interests in the town. Nonetheless, we have a wider obligation to the Kosovars and the asylum seekers. I cannot state for certain that we will revert to the integrated area plans. It is a significant block of land, ideally located in terms of the development of the town. I would like to be more optimistic and hope we will revert to the original plans, but I cannot be sure.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.