Vol. 494 No. 3
18 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the amount of funding expended on engineering works, capital programme, in Castleblayney Barracks between 1 January 1994 and 30 June 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17947/98]
Expenditure amounting to about £143,000 was incurred on the construction of a new officers' mess at Castleblayney Military Post in 1994. This building readily lends itself to sale as a residential or commercial property.
No other expenditure of a capital nature arose in respect of the post in the period referred to.
19 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Defence the status in relation to the sale of Defence Forces land; the money involved; and if he will make a statement on the proportion of that money which will be reinvested in the Defence Forces. [17943/98]
30 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Defence the status in relation to the sale of Defence Forces land; the money involved; and if he will make a statement on the proportion of that money which will be reinvested in the Defence Forces. [17944/98]
33 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the estimated value of the lands and premises associated with Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Kildare, Castleblayney and Clancy barracks. [17962/98]
34 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Defence the discussions, if any, he has had with local communities in relation to future lands now vacant because of barrack closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17909/98]
81 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Defence the discussions, if any, he has had with local communities in relation to future use of lands now vacant because of barrack closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17907/98]
83 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Defence the status in relation to the sale of Defence Forces land; the money involved; and if he will make a statement on the proportion of that money which will be reinvested in the Defence Forces. [17942/98]
87 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence the status in relation to the sale of Defence Forces land; the money involved; and if he will make a statement on the proportion of that money which will be reinvested in the Defence Forces. [17945/98]
97 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the closure and disposal of a number of army barracks; if social, community and environmental factors will be taken into consideration in these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17825/98]
116 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the closure of further army barracks; and the further plans, if any, he has to consult with the representative associations prior to the announcement of any further closures. [17886/98]
119 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to improve military installations and the schedule for same arising from moneys which he hopes to raise in the course of following the recommendations of the Price Waterhouse report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17972/98]
126 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Defence the Government policy on the sale of Army barracks; and if he will outline future plans for these lands and premises. [17963/98]
153 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the closure of further army barracks; and the plans, if any, he has to consult with the representative associations prior to the announcement of any further closures. [18102/98]
159 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the discussions, if any, he has had with local communities in relation to lands now vacant as a result of barrack closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18108/98]
175 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the status in relation to the sale of Defence Forces land; the money involved; and if he will make a statement on the proportion of that money which will be reinvested in the Defence Forces. [18124/98]
190 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an estimate of the moneys to be raised by the sale of army barracks announced in 1998; if he will provide a breakdown on the way in which the moneys raised will be spent and reinvested in the Defence Forces; the amount to be returned to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18227/98]
201 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to make some of the lands at the former Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, County Cork, available to Cork County Council for housing purposes. [18247/98]
I propose to Questions Nos. 19, 30, 33, 34, 81, 83, 87, 97, 116, 119, 126, 153, 159, 175, 190 and 201 together.
The Government, on 15 July 1998, approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks which are considered surplus to military requirements. This decision is part of the relocation, refurbishment and re-equipment of the Defence Forces, as recommended in the context of the Price Waterhouse report regarding the rationalisation of military institutions generally.
It is expected that up to £50 million will be raised from the immediate sale of the barracks. Of the proceeds, 60 per cent will be invested in the redevelopment of other military installations and new equipment. The balance will be used both to meet the cost of compensation claims and for investment in the local communities where closures take place.
The military authorities fully support the proposed closures and consultations with the representative associations were held in the days following the Government decision. The consultative process with representative associations regarding all defence matters is well established and will continue into the future where matters of mutual interest arise. Consultations with other interested parties including trade unions, local organisations and community groups have also taken place.
The programme of closures announced on 15 July was carefully considered to minimise impact on military and civilian personnel and you may be assured that there are no plans for future closures.
The Government remain committed to the development of the Defence Forces as a modern and effective organisation staffed and equipped to effectively fulfil the roles assigned to them and to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
