Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

In keeping with the budget announcement last October, the four military posts at Lifford, Rockhill, Monaghan and Longford closed last week with the personnel transferring to Finner, Dundalk and Athlone. I would like to take this opportunity to record my, and the Government's, appreciation of the professional manner in which the closures and transfers were conducted.

The military authorities had conducted a detailed review of the immediate requirements to enable the closure of the four barracks. This identified that most of the requirements for those transferring to a new location could be met from existing resources. However, a need for some immediate works, mainly the provision of storage facilities, was identified. These were provided in advance of the moves at a cost of about €550,000.

In addition to the immediate requirements, some medium-term capital works will be required in Finner Camp, Custume Barracks and Aiken Barracks to provide more permanent arrangements for the transferring personnel. These are being advanced within the Department's capital programme.

My Department is engaged in an ongoing capital programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces, both permanent and reserve. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. The cost of the projects associated with these closures will be approximately €2.5 million.

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