Vol. 436 No. 6
6 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence his most recent proposals for the use of surplus buildings at Curragh Camp, County Kildare; if such proposals are likely to have due regard for the future needs of the Defence Forces; if an extensive military museum can be incorporated in any such scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
90 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the future use of land and buildings at the Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 90 together.
The Curragh Camp is of considerable size, extends over an area of 700 acres and includes six separate military barracks. The adjoining rifle range lands comprise some 800 acres and the remainder of the Curragh lands, some 2,500 acres, excluding the racecourse, are subject to sheep grazing rights.
The question of refurbishing buildings at the Curragh is one that remains under regular review in the light of the ongoing requirements of the Defence Forces. Since 1989, repairs and maintenance works costing over £3.180 million have been undertaken at the Curragh. Much as I would like to see substantially more resources made available at the Curragh, the reality is that the problem has to be considered in the context of competition for scarce resources. This also applies to the issue of establishing a military museum at the camp.
I assure the Deputy that I share his concerns and will keep his views in mind when decisions are made in relation to these matters.
Will the Minister indicate if he has evaluated the number of disused, unused or under-utilised buildings there? Have sufficient measures been taken to ensure their safety and to ensure they do not deteriorate to the extent that they become derelict, having regard to the obvious historical and other significance of the Curragh?
There is an ongoing evaluation. I assure the Deputy that any buildings of historical merit or that have a heritage of any type attached to them will be kept under close observation.
