Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 2

Written Answers. - Community Projects.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

112 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Defence when and if he will pay £1 million to the people of Castleblayney following the closure of the military barracks in July 1998; if his attention has been drawn to the amount of work the community has put in to prepare the community project for arts, children, sport and learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20446/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

As the Deputy is aware, the North-Eastern Health Board has agreed to purchase the former military barracks and establish a project which will provide for 45 permanent appointments and that a further sum in excess of £1 million will be invested in the provision of the necessary facilities. These facilities, which will include a swimming pool, will be made available for public use when not required for child care purposes.

These investments by the State clearly demonstrates its commitment to the Castleblayney area. I am confident that when the project is complete it will be a welcome boost to the local community both financially and recreationally.

I take this opportunity to thank the people of the Castleblayney area for their efforts in improving the community facilities for their residents.