Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
180 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the disposal of a small section of property owned by his Department in County Cork to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [7178/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department holds a small area of ground, which was part of the former military barracks in the locality in question. The matter of the possible disposal of that land remains under consideration in my Department and related mapping and title matters are being examined prior to a final decision being taken on the matter. I intend that the matter will be brought to a conclusion at an early date.
181 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the deplorable condition in respect of some of the housing conditions for soldiers and their families at the military quarters in the Curragh, County Kildare; his proposals to deal with this situation; the moneys allocated for this purpose in 2004; the works expected to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7241/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarried quarters for members of the Defence Forces have for some time been considered an anachronism and it is the policy of the Department to discontinue them in a managed and orderly manner save in exceptional circumstances. The provision of housing is primarily a matter for the local authorities and married military personnel have an equal claim on such housing as other members of the community in the same income category. Inspections of married quarters are carried out by the military authorities from time to time and it is the policy not to re-allocate quarters, which are considered sub-standard.
For the past number of years it has been the practice to only carry out emergency repairs to married quarters and this policy will continue in the future. The military authorities estimate that about €100,000 was expended over the past five years in carrying out such repairs. Rents for married quarters are considerably less than the market value rental valuation for the properties and in this regard negotiations with the representative associations on increases in charges are currently at an advanced stage. However, any revised rates that might be agreed will reflect the present condition of the quarters and those rates would have to be adjusted to reflect any future investment in married quarters.
