I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 130 to 132, inclusive, and 136 together.
As I have previously outlined to the House the consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective in the ongoing defence modernisation programme and has been recommended in many reports over the past number of years. This was a key consideration of Government in addressing this issue as releasing personnel from security and support functions enables the operational capacity of the Defence Forces to be maintained notwithstanding the fall in strength. As with previous rounds of consolidation under the Defence Forces modernisation programme barracks, once vacated, are being disposed of with the proceeds being used to fund the upgrading of Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure.
Since 1998 there have been 3 major barrack consolidation programmes. In July 1998 the then Government announced the closure of 6 barracks (Ballincollig and Fermoy (both Cork), Devoy (Naas), Magee (Kildare), Castleblaney and Clancy (Dublin)). In the context of the 2009 Budget, the then Government announced the closure of four barracks, (Monaghan, Lifford and Rockhill (Donegal) and Longford). In November 2011 the Government announced the closure of four barracks, Castlebar, Clonmel, Cavan and Mullingar.
To-date eight of these barracks have been disposed of. These are:
Ballincollig,
Fermoy,
Naas,
Clancy,
Castleblaney,
Monaghan,
Longford,
Castlebar.
In relation to the remaining barracks the following is the situation:
Agreement has also been reached for the sale of Lifford and Rockhill to Donegal County Council.
Discussions are ongoing in relation to the possible sale of:
a portion of Clonmel Barracks,
Cavan Barracks to another State Agency.
Magee Barracks in Kildare and Columb Barracks in Mullingar remain the property of the Department of Defence.
The total realised to-date in terms of sales of surplus property is €84m approx. This, together with income of €18m approx from the sale of other smaller military properties and married quarters has been re-invested in providing equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. There have also been gains in other areas. For example military personnel occupied on security and support functions within the four barracks closed on 30th March 2012 have been released for operational duties leading to an efficiency gain of around €5 million per annum. In addition, there are direct cash savings of approximately €1.3 million per annum arising from utilities, maintenance and security duty allowances in the four barracks. This latest phase of consolidation will bring to fourteen the number of military barracks closed since 1998. I can confirm that no further barrack closures are envisaged at this time.