Written Answers. - Army Barracks.
Jack Wall
Ceist:
217
Mr. Wall
asked the
Minister for Defence
the position on the sale of barracks by his Department; the number of meetings he has had with local groups and local authorities; when these sales will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1669/00]
The Government on 15 July 1998 approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks which are considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question are located at Fermoy, Ballincollig, Naas, Kildare, Castleblayney and Clancy Barracks, Dublin. Five of the barracks have been vacated while the sixth, Clancy Barracks, will be evacuated this year.
Following the Government decision, I had consultations with public and community representatives in each of the five locations in which barracks were subsequently evacuated. In addition to those initial meetings, I met with members of the Oireachtas and local councillors in relation to Castleblayney Barracks on 3 February, 3 March, and 15 July 1999; local councillors and officials from Naas Urban District Council on 3 March and 10 March 1999 in relation to Devoy Barracks, Naas, and I have met with councillors and an official of Kildare County Council on 14 September 1999 in relation to Magee Barracks, Kildare.
Discussions also took place between my officials and officials of Cork County Council on 2 December 1998 in relation to Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, and Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig.
At a meeting with members of Fermoy Urban District Council and officials of Cork County Council on 26 October 1999, I indicated to them that I had decided to dispose of Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, to Cork County Council for economic development of the site in conjunction with the IDA. The lands will be developed and marketed as a strategic industrial site to attract inward investment. This development will greatly assist in the continuing revitalisation of Fermoy and will greatly enhance its potential for future industrial development.
In relation to Castleblayney, I have decided to sell the site to the North Eastern Health Board for £600,000. Pending completion of the legal and financial formalities, a caretaker agreement has been completed by the North Eastern Health Board under which they will be allowed to occupy the property immediately.
As regards Devoy Barracks, agreement has been reached between my Department and Naas Urban District Council on the transfer of part of the property to the council for local purposes. The balance of the property has been re-zoned for housing in line with the development plan for Naas UDC, which was adopted on 29 May 1999. A tender competition was held in October 1999 for the appointment of selling agents to undertake the sale of the property. It is proposed to appoint selling agents in the near future following which the sale of the barracks will proceed.
Arising from a request from the Department of Foreign Affairs for accommodation to house Kosovar refugees, I offered that Department the opportunity to inspect the five vacated barracks to check out their feasibility or otherwise for the accommodation of the refugees. Magee Barracks, Kildare, is being used for this purpose on a temporary basis. In the interim, a tender competition was arranged for the appointment of independent consultants to prepare an area action plan in respect of the former barrack lands. A number of the proposals received have been shortlisted and those consultants placed on the shortlist have been invited to make presentations before a selection committee prior to final selection. The consultants will submit a report within three months of appointment. The sale of the barracks will proceed as soon as is practicable following evaluation of that report.
The independent consultants appointed to draw up an integrated action area plan for Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, undertook a rigorous process of public consultation as an integral part of their commission. The integrated plan for the future development of the property is expected shortly.
It is expected that up to £50 million will be realised from the sale of the barracks.
