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Defence Forces Properties

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 March 2013

Thursday, 14 March 2013

Questions (17, 22)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

17. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the disposal or sale of Columb Barracks, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13158/13]

View answer

Brian Stanley

Question:

22. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of expressions of interest made to his Department on each of the closed barracks by agencies or local authorities. [13157/13]

View answer

Oral answers (3 contributions)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 22 together. I am taking this question on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Deputy Alan Shatter.

Since 1998 a total of 14 barracks have been closed under various barrack consolidation programmes. To date, nine of these barracks - Clancy in Dublin, Castleblayney, Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Monaghan, Cavan, Castlebar and a large portion of Longford - have been sold. In respect of the remaining barracks, agreement has been reached on the sale of Lifford and Rockhill to Donegal County Council. Discussions are ongoing about the possible sale of Clonmel Barracks to South Tipperary County Council and the remaining part of Longford has been reserved by the OPW for the local Garda Síochána. Magee Barracks in Kildare and Columb Barracks in Mullingar remain the property of the Department of Defence.

As with previous rounds of consolidation under the Defence Forces modernisation programme, once vacated, barracks are being disposed of, with the proceeds being used to fund the upgrading of Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure. Following each announcement of barracks closures, the Department of Defence has written to Departments and various agencies and local authorities seeking expressions of interest in acquiring any of the properties, including Columb Barracks, Mullingar, to benefit the local community as a whole but with particular emphasis on job creation measures. While some discussion has taken place about Columb Barracks, no substantial progress has been made towards achieving a sale to date. My colleague, the Minister for Defence, would of course be happy to discuss with any interested group proposals it may have for the purchase and development of the former barracks in Mullingar for the benefit of the local community.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is encouraging that a significant number of barracks have been sold. Could we get details of the amount the Department secured for them and how that was reallocated in the Department's budget?

There has been a consultation process in Mullingar, and the Minister made a statement in January inviting proposals and submissions. The town council has been considering incorporating proposals into its town development plan. What is the security cost of maintaining the barracks in the interim?

The total realised to date from the sale of surplus property has been approximately €85 million. This, together with income of €18 million from the sale of other smaller military properties and married quarters, has been reinvested in providing equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. The moneys thus received in respect of the sale of properties have been returned to the Defence Forces as appropriations-in-aid. The increased level of appropriations-in-aid has allowed the retention of funding levels for re-equipment. Some of the major programmes include the acquisition of light tactical armoured vehicles, MOWAG armoured personnel carriers, two EC 135 helicopters, six AW 139 helicopters and two new offshore patrol vessels. This approach is in line with the 2000 White Paper on Defence, which stated that 100% of the revenue arising from the sale of property surplus to military requirements must be invested in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces.

Written Answers follow Adjournment.
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