Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 December 2012
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the resources accruing from the closure of various military installations over the years has transferred directly to updating and upgrading the quality and standard of equipment available to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55027/12]
View answer175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of military installations closed or decommissioned since 1988; the extent to which funds accruing therefrom have been retained for the development of facilities for the Defence Forces; the extent of any such plans for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55033/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 175 together.
Since 1998 a total of fourteen barracks have been closed under various barrack consolidation programmes. To-date nine of these barracks - Clancy (Dublin), Castleblaney, Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Monaghan, Cavan, Castlebar and a large portion of Longford - have been sold.
In relation to the remaining barracks agreement has been reached for the sale of Lifford and Rockhill to Donegal County Council. Discussions are ongoing in relation to the possible sale of a portion of Clonmel Barracks to other State Agencies and the remaining part of Longford has been reserved for the OPW for the local Garda Síochána.
Magee Barracks in Kildare and Columb Barracks in Mullingar remain the property of the Department.
The total realised to-date in terms of sales of surplus property is €84m approx. This, together with income of €18m approx. from the sale of other smaller military properties and married quarters has been re-invested in providing equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces.
All remaining vacated barracks as well as any properties identified as surplus to military requirements will be disposed of by my Department, taking account of the market conditions, so as to maximise the return to the Defence Forces.
The monies received from the sales of surplus properties have returned to the Defence Vote as Appropriations in Aid. The increased levels of appropriations in aid have allowed the retention of funding levels for re-equipment. Some of the major more recent programmes include the acquisition of Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles, Mowag Armoured Personnel Carriers, two EC and six AW 139 helicopters and two new Offshore Patrol vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2014/2015. This approach is in line with the 2000 White Paper on Defence and the Government decision of February 2000 which, inter alia, approved “ the allocation of 100% of the revenue arising from the sale of property surplus to military requirements, for investment in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces”
