Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Costs.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

205 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total costs in terms of security, repairs, maintenance and any other costs arising for the State since the closure of Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare, in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23355/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

207 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total liability to the State following maintenance, security, repairs and any other costs arising from the closure of the various military installations in 1998 or since; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23357/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 207 together.

The total costs incurred to date, in respect of security and essential maintenance and other services at the vacated military barracks, are as follows:

Location	Security Costs	Maintenance
		(including the provision of lighting etc.)
	£	£
Ballincollig	346,465.77	32,545.40
Fermoy	184,734.85	19,586.66
Naas	228,804.46	7,668.21
Kildare	88,920.48	6,125.76
Castleblayney	103,398.15	8,320.03

It should be noted that a portion of Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, is occupied by a Battalion of the FCA and that an industrial explosives compound remainsin situ at Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig.

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.

Castleblayney Military Barracks was transferred to the North Eastern Health Board on a caretaker basis on 9 February 2000 and no further security costs will fall to be met by my Department in relation to that property.

Clancy Barracks has not yet been vacated and therefore no private security costs have arisen at that location.

Significant savings have arisen since the evacuation of the five barracks placed under private security arrangements. On military security duty allowances alone, it is estimated that savings to date amount to almost £700,000. In addition, there have been significant savings on utility costs, such as telephone, gas and electricity charges at each of the evacuated barracks which, for example, would have amounted to approximately £112,000 in the case of Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig.

Question No. 206 taken with Question No. 108.

Question No. 207 taken with Question No. 205.

Question No. 208 taken with Question No. 108.

Question No. 209 taken with Question No. 162.

Question No. 210 taken with Question No. 120.

Question No. 211 taken with Question No. 115.

Questions Nos. 212 and 213 taken with Question No. 107.