Vol. 561 No. 5
147 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Defence if funds will ever be paid by his Department to the people of Castleblayney as promised by him on the day he announced the closure of the Army barracks in Castleblayney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4690/03]
The former military barracks at Castleblayney was sold to the North Eastern Health Board, NEHB, in 1999. The decision to sell the property to the NEHB took account of the board's needs as well as the long-term benefit to the town which redevelopment of the site would provide. The board proposed to establish a child care project which would provide 45 permanent appointments and a further sum in excess of €1.27 million for investment in the provision of the necessary facilities. It was intended that the facilities, to include a swimming pool, would be made available to the local community when not required for child care purposes.
I am advised that considerable progress has been made in this matter. A new residential educational unit for adolescents is now operational and phase 2 of the project will provide for sports facilities to include a swimming pool as well as a gymnasium, hard court and outdoor playing area.
These investments which clearly exceed £1 million pounds demonstrate the State's commitment to the Castleblayney area and I am confident that when the project is complete it will be a welcome boost to the local community both financially and recreationally.
Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 122.
Question No. 149 answered with Question No. 141.
