Robert Troy
Question:61. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for Columb barracks, Mullingar. [23325/17]
View answerArmy Barracks
Questions (61)
Written answers
Following the closure of Columb Barracks in 2012, my Department has explored a number of avenues to try and secure the long term future of the former barracks for the benefit of the local community. Government Departments and other Public Bodies, including Westmeath County Council, have been invited to declare any interest in acquiring the property. Westmeath County Council has recently confirmed that they have no interest in acquiring the property.
In 2016 Officials from my Department met with the CEO and officials of Longford and Westmeath Educational and Training Board regarding possible use of Mullingar Barracks. The meeting included a visit to the Barracks. To date, I have received no proposals from the Board regarding their future use of the barracks. There has also been no approach from the Department of Education and Skills in relation to this matter.
In May 2016 officials from my Department attended a public meeting in Mullingar on the future use of the barracks. A local group was subsequently established in order to prepare a feasibility study on community use of the barracks. However to date no report from that group has been furnished to my Department.
As the Barracks is no longer required for military purposes the current financial and administrative burden resulting from the retention of the Barracks cannot be sustained.
On the 27 of April Mr Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, launched the online Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map as a key part of the Rebuilding Ireland initiative. Columb Barracks has been included as one of the publicly owned sites which has potential for housing development. The Department will be exploring all avenues including public auction regarding the disposal of the Barracks in the coming months. In that context my officials will be contacting all existing occupants of the Barracks to discuss future arrangements.
Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 51.
Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 36.
Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 49.
Air Corps Equipment
Questions (65)
Carol Nolan
Question:65. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department investigated claims that students from the University of Limerick were exposed to hazardous chemicals and organic solvents during the course of their work placement at Casement Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23305/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy may be aware that I received correspondence on 26 April 2017 which was also sent to a number of other Oireachtas members. There was a reference to University of Limerick students in that correspondence but without any specific detail in relation to the students.
I am arranging for the elements of the correspondence which relate to previous protected disclosures concerning health and safety issues in the Air Corps to be sent to the independent third party I appointed last year to review those allegations. Legal advice has recently been received in respect of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy and is being considered.
Once a final review is to hand, I will determine any further steps required and ensure that all recommendations will be acted upon.
Defence Forces Properties
Questions (66)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:66. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in negotiations with overholders in accommodation in the Curragh camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23259/17]
View answerWritten answers
Some 19 houses which were occupied by overholders in the Curragh camp have been returned by the occupants to the Department in recent times. However overholding continues to be an issue with up to 23 houses still being occupied by overholders in the Curragh Camp. The Department continues to seek the return of these properties.
The Department does not have a role in the provision of housing accommodation for the general public. The Department does however assist in whatever way it can in order to resolve the cases of overholding without recourse to legal action, as it is preferable not to have to use legal means to obtain vacant possession of the properties concerned.
In this context, officials from my Department have met with overholders to determine what assistance can be provided to enable them to vacate the properties. If individuals are not in a position to secure housing in their own right it may be the case that they qualify for social housing or that they qualify for some level of housing assistance. When requested to do so, the Department provides whatever documentation it can to support such applications.
The Deputy can be assured that my Department will deal with any overholders who are in a vulnerable position, in a sensitive manner and will , where possible, work with the local authorities to help identify solutions.
Defence Forces Remuneration
Questions (67)
Bríd Smith
Question:67. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address the endemic low pay among personnel in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23276/17]
View answerWritten answers
Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in each part of the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to levels of pay available in related public sector employments.
I believe that measures contained in the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) and the provisions introduced in Budget 2016 and 2017 will be of benefit generally to members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). The provisions set out in the LRA are an extension of the provision of the Haddington Road Agreement and all existing dispute resolution procedures continue to apply.
The LRA provided for increased salaries during 2016 and 2017 in a manner which benefited the lower paid. These benefits come in the form of increases in gross pay in 2016 for those earning up to €31,000 and in 2017 for all those earning up to €65,000. In addition the Government has introduced legislation which has commenced the process to reduce the pay reduction applied under the FEMPI Acts.
In relation to the Pensions Related Deduction (PRD), which is commonly referred to as the ‘Pension Levy’, the exemption threshold for payment of the ‘Levy’ will increase substantially during the course of the agreement from €15,000 to €28,750 which means that annual income subject to the levy below €28,750 will no longer be liable to the deduction.
In terms of remuneration going forward, following the publication of the Pay Commission’s report on 9 May 2017, the Government intends to initiate negotiations on a successor to the Lansdowne Road Agreement ahead of Budget 2018 considerations. Future remuneration of Defence Forces personnel will be dealt with within this process.
Curragh Plains Representative Forum
Questions (68)
Martin Heydon
Question:68. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the work of the Curragh forum; when it last met and is next due to meet; if progress has been made on agreeing a work programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23327/17]
View answerWritten answers
At the last meeting of the Curragh Forum on the 29 October 2016, several actions were agreed by the members of the Forum to assist in addressing a number of the problems in the Curragh. In line with agreed actions, a review of the Curragh Bye-Laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act is progressing with a view to identifying what amendments can possibly be made to provide greater powers to deal with the issues of illegal encampments, illegal dumping, illegal parking and the other key issues identified by the Forum.
In addition, my officials have recently introduced revised procedures regarding the branding and documenting of sheep grazing on the Curragh Plains. These changes will assist in having greater control of the numbers of sheep grazing. Actions to address over grazing will also be progressed in 2017.
Plans are being prepared to facilitate progress of a number of other agreed actions including signage and the development of facilities on the Curragh environs. There are currently no dates agreed for further meetings but my officials are available to meet with members of the Forum to discuss key issues as they arise.