Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 4

Written Answers. - Army Barracks.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

166 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to the disposal of the various military installations which were closed down in 1998; the administrative costs associated with the proposals; the receipts for sale and or letting in respect of the installations involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30879/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

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.

The sale of 19.218 acres at the former Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, to Cork County Council in conjunction with the IDA for £767,000 or 973,889 has been completed. 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.

The former Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare, comprises an area of approximately 22 acres. I agreed to cede seven acres free of charge to Naas Urban District Council and to sell one acre to Kildare County Council for £300,000 or 380,921 for local community purposes. I have also agreed to sell the remaining 14 acres or thereabouts, which are zoned for housing, to Naas UDC for £7 million or 8,888,167. The legal formalities to give effect to these agreements are progressing and I expect them to be completed very shortly. In relation to Castleblayney, that property is in the process of being sold to the North-Eastern Health Board for £600,000 or 761,843 and sale contracts have recently been signed. Pending completion of the legal and financial formalities, a caretaker's agreement was completed and the former barracks was handed over to the health board last year on foot of that agreement. The legal formalities to complete the sale are progressing.

With regard to Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, a comprehensive integrated action area plan was commissioned from independent consultants to provide for the future development of this property. My Department submitted the integrated plan to Cork County Council in April of last year for consideration in the context of a variation to the existing Cork county development plan. I understand that this plan has now been adopted by the council. My Department has advertised for the appointment of selling agents for the property.

The vacated Magee Barracks, Kildare, is now providing accommodation for asylum seekers. I have also agreed to provide circa one acre to the local authority for a temporary halting site for 20 persons for a period of one year. In relation to the remainder of this site, I am arranging early discussions with all interested parties, including the local authority. Clancy Barracks, Dublin, was advertised by the selling agents, Hamilton Osborne King, for sale by public tender on 14 June 2001. Two bids were received, one of which was from Dublin Corporation. Both tenders were considered too low to permit acceptance. My Department is, of course, prepared to talk to any party interested in purchasing the property, which remains on the market. It is my intention to generate the maximum return from the site for re-investment in essential Defence Forces needs.

The total cost to my Department associated with the disposal of surplus military property since July 1998 is £1.607 million or 2.041 million. Income from completed sales is £767,000 or 973,889 and income from lettings is £14,761 or 18,742. Arising from the temporary provision of accommodation for asylum seekers, the cost of security at Magee Barracks, Kildare, is now met by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Castleblayney Military Barracks was transferred to the North-Eastern Health Board on a caretaker basis on 9 February 2000 and the former Fitzgerald Camp in Fermoy has been sold to Cork County Council and no further costs will fall to be met by my Department in relation to either of these properties.

Significant savings have arisen since the evacuation of the five barracks placed under private security arrangements. On military security duty alone, it is estimated that savings to date amount to almost £1,064,000 or 1,351,001. 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 £171,581 or 217,863 in the case of Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig. No insurance costs have been incurred in respect of any of the properties as the State carries its own insurance.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

167 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to agreement reached to date in 2001 in regard to final sale or disposal of Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30880/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 187 on 23 October 2001, the former Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare, comprises an area of approximately 22 acres. I agreed to cede seven acres free of charge to Naas Urban District Council and to sell one acre to Kildare County Council for £300,000 or 380,921 for local community purposes. I have also agreed to sell the remaining 14 acres or thereabouts, which are zoned for housing, to Naas UDC for £7 million or 8,888,167.

Following the usual contract negotiations, contracts of sale were forwarded to the purchasers' solicitors in July last for completion. The return of the completed contract by Naas UDC is expected shortly. The legal formalities will be completed soon thereafter.