I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, the Permanent Defence Force provides a significant level of single living accommodation for serving personnel, where this accommodation is required by personnel for training and operations duties. There are in excess of 4,500 places currently within all the military installations.
I am pleased to be able to update the Deputies on the significant investments we are making in improving the Defence Forces built infrastructure, particularly on how we have prioritised the expansion of such accommodation in recent years.
As part of the implementation of the Defence Forces infrastructure plan we have to date provided 365 bed spaces at various locations, most notably the complete renovation of the derelict block 8 in Haulbowline and the upgrading of accommodation in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Baldonnel and the Curragh Camp.
We are, I am also glad to report, increasing the delivery of such infrastructure. This year alone, we have provided €55 million to the improving and maintaining of the building infrastructure. Notable new accommodation projects under way this year include: the upgrade of the current derelict block 4 in Haulbowline; new accommodation blocks in Collins Barrack and at the Gormanston training centre; and the upgrade of the former university service army complement, USAC, building in Galway.
Taken together, the infrastructure plan will entail the provision of 900 bed spaces and represents a significant investment in our personnel. I am satisfied it will substantially meet the needs of the Defence Forces.
That being said, I am aware that there is residual and historic housing stock remaining in some installations. While much of this stock is unoccupied and built before modern accommodation standards, on taking office I immediately instructed that some housing stock in the Curragh Camp marked down for demolition was to be renovated and modernised for single living accommodation purposes. In addition, I instructed that an assessment be carried out of all other housing stock under my Department's control to determine how they can be best utilised for our personnel.
I reassure the Deputies that accommodation for the purposes of single living is provided in all military installations for operational and training purposes.