Defence Forces Properties

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Questions (46)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

46. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the selling off of disused barracks or other properties belonging to the Irish Defence Forces in 2013. [29119/13]

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Written answers

The Defence property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. As the Deputy is aware the Department has been engaged on an ongoing programme of barrack consolidation since 1998. This programme has brought to fourteen the number of barracks closed during that time. 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 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.

In addition to the main barracks a number of other smaller properties have also been identified as surplus to military requirements. Some of these have already been disposed of whilst others are in the process of being prepared for disposal. These mainly consist of married quarters and Reserve Defence Force premises. Earlier this year as part of the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force a number of additional properties became surplus to requirements. In accordance with normal procedure for the disposal of State property my Department has invited Government Departments and other Public Bodies to identify any interest in those properties. If no interest is expressed by any other Government Department or State Agency the properties will be disposed of by public tender/auction.