Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2013
110. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if the Office of Public Works has conducted a survey of buildings that are of historical or architectural significance within the ownership of his Department, in view of the fact that the listing or preservation of such buildings does not fall within the remit of local authorities and their development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43847/13]
View answer113. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the architectural surveys his Department has conducted at barracks still in the ownership of his Department; if his Department has identified buildings that are worthy of preservation in view of their historical and architectural significance; if an inventory of such buildings has been compiled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43846/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 113 together.
The Defence property portfolio consists of a diverse range of facilities from conventional military barracks to forts, camps, dwelling houses and land. A number of buildings in this portfolio have been identified as of historical or architectural significance.
The Office of Public Works has no role in the management of buildings within the ownership of the Department of Defence. Notwithstanding certain planning exemptions for Defence properties, the surveying, listing and ongoing monitoring of protected buildings in the Defence property portfolio falls within the remit of the relevant local authority.
The preservation and maintenance needs for these buildings are reviewed as part of the Department’s maintenance and capital expenditure programme each year.
