Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
98 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence the amount raised through the sale of military installations in the past five years; the way in which the money raised has subsequently been used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17816/04]
View answer104 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Defence the way in which it is intended to use the €25 million acquired through the sale of Clancy Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17815/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 104 together.
The Government, on 15 July 1998, approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question were located at Ballincollig, Clancy Barracks, Dublin, Fermoy, Castleblayney, Naas, and Kildare.
The sale of approximately 91 acres comprising Lot 1, Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, to O'Flynn Construction for €41 million was completed in 2003. In addition, the sale of Lot 2 to the sitting tenant for €1.05 million — my Department's reversionary interest in approximately 6.2 acres of the barrack lands — was also completed last year. Agreements have also been reached for the sale of a site, comprising approximately 2.7 acres to the Southern Heath Board and a further plot of approximately 1.7 acres to the Department of Education and Science; receipts in excess of € 2.8 million will accrue to my Department in respect of those disposals. An area comprising approximately 0.545 of an acre has been set aside on foot of a request from the Office of Public Works for a plot of ground to facilitate extension of the existing Garda station located on Main Street, Ballincollig. My Department is in correspondence with the OPW on arrangements for transfer of the lands concerned, including the matter of a consideration therefor.
The sale of Clancy Barracks, Dublin, comprising 13.65 acres approximately to Florence Properties Limited for the sum of €25.4 million was completed in March 2004. Some 19.218 acres at the former Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, were sold to Cork County Council in 2001 for €973,889 for development in conjunction with the IDA.
Castleblayney military post, Monaghan, comprising approximately ten acres, was sold to the North Eastern Health Board for €761,843. Seven acres at Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare, were ceded free of charge to Naas Urban District Council, while a further 14 acres were sold to that authority for € 8,888,167. The balance of the barracks lands — one acre — was sold to Kildare County Council for €380,921.
The Government decided on 1 July 2003 to release Magee barracks, Kildare to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for inclusion in a new affordable housing initiative agreed under the national partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress.
In recent years, there has been an unprecedented level of expenditure on infrastructure and equipment for the Defence Forces. This was made possible by the Government's decision that pay savings arising from the reorganisation of the Defence Forces set out in the White Paper of 2000, along with proceeds from the sale of surplus properties, would be reallocated for investment in modern facilities and equipment. Over €174 million was spent on the capital investment programme for the upgrade of barracks, accommodation and other facilities between 1997 and the end of 2003. This year's Estimate for the Department of Defence includes a further €19 million for such capital works.
Significant progress has also been made in recent years with the acquisition of modern equipment for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service. This year sees the delivery of 25 additional armoured personnel carriers from Mowag of Switzerland, which will give the Defence Forces 65 Mowag APCs in total. The initial contract for 40 APCs saw deliveries completed by March 2002 and was valued at €51million inclusive of VAT. The value of the additional contract is some €33 million, inclusive of VAT with payments spread over the period 2002 to 2005, giving a total expenditure of €84 million on APCs. Eleven of the 25 APCs have already been delivered to the Curragh camp. The remaining 14 will be delivered by October 2004.
The acquisition of light tactical vehicles, LTVs, for the Defence Forces will also be considered in the light of the ongoing budgetary situation. Another significant contract relates to the acquisition of the Javelin missile system from Raytheon-Lockheed Martin in the USA at a cost of some €13 million, inclusive of VAT. The purpose of this acquisition is to give Defence Forces personnel an effective, anti-armour capability while on peace support operations. The system will replace the Milan system. Some items under the contract have been delivered recently to allow for the training of personnel. The main delivery is scheduled for 2005.
There have been ongoing programmes of acquisitions of both nuclear biological chemical, NBC, and night vision, NVE, equipment in recent years and these programmes will continue to meet the ongoing requirements of the Defence Forces.
The main priority for the Air Corps has been the purchase of fixed wing training aircraft. In that regard, I signed a contract on 16 January 2003 for the supply of eight turbo propeller aircraft to replace the Marchetti aircraft in the pilot training role. These aircraft will allow for the continued training of young cadets to the highest standard and are a very realistic response to the needs of the Air Corps at this time. The new aircraft is the Pilatus PC-9M, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft Limited, Switzerland. The cost of the eight aircraft is approximately €60 million. Seven aircraft have already been delivered and the remaining aircraft is currently in Austria for a weapons certification programme. While these aircraft are being obtained primarily for pilot training, they will be capable of being armed and as such will have a limited defensive capability.
I have also announced the process to replace the ageing fleet of helicopters in the Air Corps. Following examination of the relevant issues, specifications have been prepared for light utility and utility helicopters and the tender competition has commenced for the supply of up to six aircraft. The closing date for the receipt of tenders is 23 July 2004.
The Naval Service has also benefited from the investment programme in recent years with the acquisition of two new modern ships, LE Roisín and LE Niamh, at a cost of some €25 million each. The ships are proving to be a tremendous asset for the Naval Service in carrying out their day-to-day roles.
