Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Defence Forces regulations require members to live in barracks unless they are given permission to live out. Over the years the practice has been for significant numbers of personnel to live out of barracks. As part of the Defence Forces modernisation programme, approximately €40 million has been spent since 1999 on refurbishing both long-term and short-term accommodation across the Defence Forces.

Arising from the changing security situation and to provide a sound basis for future modernisation of living-in accommodation, my Department, in conjunction with the military authorities, is undertaking a study to identify the Defence Forces' overall long-term operational requirement for living-in accommodation. The study will also examine and determine the nature and standard of accommodation to be provided. There has been a delay in finalising the report but it is expected to be available by the end of the year. However, one of the preliminary findings of the study is that there is sufficient, good quality accommodation to meet the current requirement across the Defence Forces generally and any shortages are confined to only a few locations where the demand is high.

The outcome of the study will provide the basis for a three to five-year programme of refurbishment of living-in accommodation to be undertaken in conjunction with the overall Defence Forces infrastructure development programme. In considering the priorities for the building programme for 2008 and 2009, my Department has decided no further costs will be incurred on the refurbishment of living-in accommodation until this plan is in place. The requirement for living-in accommodation in Cathal Brugha Barracks is being considered as part of the overall Defence Forces requirements and the provision of any accommodation required there will be addressed in the plan. Approximately 77 officers are living-in in the barracks. This includes the officers referred to in the question.

I emphasise the accommodation referred to is of a temporary nature pending completion of the living-in accommodation plan. These units were built specifically as accommodation units for single occupancy. The units consist of en-suite accommodation and are fully furnished and heated. The temporary accommodation was specified, sourced and procured by the Defence Forces. The accommodation units comply with all relevant regulations and health and safety requirements.

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