Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 2

Written Answers. - Army Barracks.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

58 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons who have been redeployed arising from his decision to close a number of military barracks, including Devoy Barracks, Naas, County Kildare; the nature of the work to which the personnel concerned have been redeployed; the terms and conditions appertaining to the employment; the long-term proposals, if any, he has for these personnel in view of the implications of the Price Waterhouse report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26856/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

It is not the policy to disclose the number of personnel located at any particular military barracks or military post. However, the total number of military personnel affected by the closure of these barracks is 880.

There will be no change in the conditions of employment of the redeployed military personnel and they will continue to be employed on the same range of duties as at their previous locations.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

59 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Defence the consultations, if any, he has had with local communities in relation to lands which become vacant because of barrack closures [17907/98]

Nora Owen

Ceist:

72 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Defence the discussions, if any, he has had with local communities in relation to lands becoming vacant because of barrack closure [17909/98]

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

80 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the number of meetings he has had with local authorities or local community groups in each area where the sale of Army barracks has been announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26823/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

160 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree, if any, to which his Department has entered into negotiations in regard to the future use of the military barracks, the closure of which was announced in July 1998; the identity of the group or groups with which he has had discussions in this regard; the state and status of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27046/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 72, 80 and 160 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 Price Waterhouse report regarding the rationalisation of military installations generally.

Following the Government decision, I had consultations with public and community representatives in each of the five locations in which barracks were recently evacuated. There are also ongoing discussions between officials of my Department and officials of the relevant local authorities. It is expected that up to £50 million will be raised from the sale of the barracks. Sixty 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 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. In this regard, I have invited community groups to submit their proposals regarding the utilisation of those funds and for the future development of the lands to ensure that the maximum possible benefit accrues to the local communities. I await their reports with interest.