I thank the Minister for coming before the House to take this matter on the Adjournment.
I am aware that negotiations are ongoing with Cork City Council regarding the proposed sale of a portion of the lands at the Camp Field, Collins Barracks, Cork. I welcome the fact that the Minister appears to have taken on board certain concerns regarding the long-term future of Collins Pitch and Putt Club and the playing pitches in the Camp Filed. The purpose of my seeking to have this item discussed on the Adjournment is not to get into the specifics of that deal, but to focus on one aspect, namely, the situation regarding the existing residents in the Camp Field.
Currently, six of the nine officers' married quarters are occupied and to date the only information these residents have obtained regarding the proposed sale of lands, including the houses, has come from media reports. To the best of my knowledge, where quarters were previously disposed of they were offered for sale at market value to the incumbents. In this case, however, it is rumoured that they are being offered for sale with vacant possession. I understand that a number of these residents of these six occupied quarters would be glad of the opportunity to purchase their respective property, which in many cases has become their family home, at the market value. Needless to say, this period of uncertainty is most distressing for the families concerned because they have received no written communication of any nature concerning the implications for them and their families.
The Minister was good enough recently to meet with members of Collins Pitch and Putt Club, and I thank him for that. However, in the case of these residents there has been absolutely no communication. There is a human dimension to this issue as we are dealing with families and I seek urgent clarification on the following issues. Are the quarters, which are currently occupied on an open-ended owner-occupier basis, now deemed to be surplus to Department of Defence requirements and therefore identified for disposal in accordance with departmental policy? If so, will these properties be offered initially for sale to the present occupiers at a price determined by the Valuation Office in accordance with departmental policy and precedent?
If the properties are sold over the heads of the existing residents, what kind of notice to vacate or alternative accommodation will be offered to them? The Minister should not only answer these specific questions but also communicate with the residents regarding the future security of what have become their family homes.