Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:15. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the measures he is implementing to ensure rural Reserve Defence Forces outposts are maintained. [35933/13]
View answerThursday, 18 July 2013
Questions (15)
Written answers
The re-organisation of the Reserve Defence Force is a key element of the response to the findings and recommendations of a Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force. The central recommendation from the VFM Steering Committee is for the retention of the Reserve with 4,000 personnel spread countrywide to be based in barracks and in a small number of other locations. This required the consolidation of existing Reserve Units throughout the country into a smaller number of full-strength Units. The retention of all locations was not a viable or sustainable option.
As a result of the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) earlier this year a number of RDF properties were vacated as they are surplus to military requirements.
The properties in question are now the responsibility of the Department of Defence. Over twenty properties have been taken in charge by the Department. The Department is monitoring the condition of these properties on an ongoing basis and will continue to do so until they are disposed of. In the meantime any necessary maintenance works will be carried out as required.