Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 4

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Properties.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

42 Mr. Flanagan 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]

Gerry Reynolds

Ceist:

56 Mr. G. Reynolds 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]

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

107 Mr. Crawford 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]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

114 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the discussions, if any, which have taken place since 1 October 1998 with local authorities and other interested parties regarding the future use of Army barracks earmarked for closure; if so, if he will provide details of the outcome of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22954/98]

Tom Enright

Ceist:

119 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Defence the consultations, if any, he has had with local communities in relation to future lands vacant because of barrack closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17907/98]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

151 Ms Fitzgerald 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. [22810/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

159 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has revised his proposals arising from the closure of various military barracks in view of the serious impact socially and economically in the areas concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23149/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

166 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has received a recent indication of the funds to accrue from the disposal of military installations excluding lands and buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23156/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

167 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he will donate various lands, buildings and so on owned by his Department for various community uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23157/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 56, 107, 114, 119, 151, 159, 166 and 167 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 Defences Forces, as recommended in the context of the Price Waterhouse report regarding the rationalisation of military institutions generally. The Government remains fully committed to this important programme.

It is expected that up to £50 million will be raised from the immediate sale of the barracks. Some 60 per cent of the proceeds 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 proposed sales will provide prime sites to meet housing, commercial and industrial development needs in the areas concerned. In addition, 15 per cent of the proceeds are to be devoted to community projects in the areas involved. This is a consultative process involving many Departments, agencies, councils and organisations, including my Department. While preliminary discussions have taken place with local community groups, various details and arrangements still require to be sorted out. The Government remains 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.