Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
57. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if funding has been provided for the upgrading of accommodation facilities in the Defence Forces training centre at the Curragh; when works on this project will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33530/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capability to deliver on all of the roles assigned by government, my Department is committed to the development and improvement of the physical environment and living conditions in military barracks. This is achieved through the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme. The Programme is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities of the Defence Forces. It is based on operational requirements and is compiled on a priority needs basis by my Department in conjunction with the Military Authorities.
The capital element of the programme focuses mainly on infrastructure projects including the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of facilities. In any one year, the programme provides for new project starts and for the continuation of building projects already underway.
In addition to the above, the White Paper on Defence has identified the need to develop a rolling five-year capital plan for the provision of future Defence Forces built infrastructure requirements, taking account of the capability priority needs of Defence Forces. This plan is expected to be finalised in the coming months.
At the end of 2017, some €35 million worth of projects were at various stages of implementation, ranging from design to construction. These included some €5.2m for the upgrading of accommodation facilities at the Defence Forces Training Centre including major refurbishment projects such as Blocks B&D, Pearse barracks, which is due to be completed before the end of 2018, and Block 7, Plunkett barracks where works are due to commence on site in Quarter 4 of 2019.
