Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 6

Written Answers. - Gormanston (Meath) Army Camp.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

279 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the total acreage of both the Gormanston Camp and the Mosney Firing Range, County Meath; the amounts spent on refurbishment of the camp and the range since 1980; the nature of these works; the number of bed spaces currently available in the camp; the amount expended on refurbishment works in the camp in 1995; the manner in which it was spent; the amount estimated to be spent on refurbishment in 1996; the buildings on which it will be spent; the number of civilian staff currently employed in the camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7108/96]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Barrett)

Gormanston Camp and aerodrome comprise approximately 261 acres. In addition, approximately 39 acres at Mosney are leased to my Department for use as a firing range.

Between 1980 and 1994 a total of about £2.2 million was spent by my Department on building and engineering works at Gormanston. These works included substantial improvement of accommodation; runway development: installation of a sewage pumping station; reroofing of water storage tanks; changeover to natural gas usage; repairs to aviation fuel tanks; and laying of tarmacadam.

In 1995 contracts to the value of about £392,000 were placed in respect of further laying of tarmacadam and the refurbishment of the cookhouse at the camp. The latter contract will be completed in 1996. In addition any necessary maintenance works will be carried out by the Corps of Engineers in the light of resources available to them.

The number of bed spaces currently available at the camp is 290 and the number of civilian employees employed there at present is 16.