Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022
264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which accommodation at military barracks is modern, up-to-date and in keeping with best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4205/22]
View answerThe Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe.
As the Deputy may be aware it has been a long standing policy, since the 1990’s that the provision of Married Quarters to serving Defence Forces personnel would be discontinued. This move away from this provision was accepted by senior military management at the time and it is not intended to reverse this policy. Single Living in Accommodation is provided for personnel where same is required for training and operational purposes.
The modernisation of such accommodation features significantly in the Defence Forces 5 Year Infrastructure Plan, which has seen the completion of the following refurbishment projects at a combined cost of €11.2m:
- Blocks B & D Pearse Barracks, DFTC ;
- Block 7 Plunket Barracks, DFTC ;
- Blocks 1 & 2 Cathal Brugha Barracks; and the
- Apprentice Hostel, Casement Aerodrome.
The following accommodation projects are now also being progressed at combined estimated value of €26.5m :
- Refurbishment of Blocks 4 & 8, Naval Service,
- New accommodation Block in Collins barracks, Cork, and
- the refurbishment of the USAC accommodation Block in Renmore, Galway.
The Deputy may also wish to note that my Department has allocated in the region of €10m this year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This devolved budget is a regular feature of the Delegated functions assigned to the Defence Forces by my Department. The individual prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.
