Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

As I understand, there are no major security costs associated with the properties we are discussing. Some of them are married quarters which are now vacated. There are some married quarters that were supposed to have been vacated some years ago but have not been, for a variety of reasons. In the past, these matters have been the subject of Dáil questions. With regard to individual properties that are not utilised, if there are practical uses to which they can be put in the context of local communities, we will consider that constructively. There is no funding available within the Department to convert properties in any particular way, but if there are good ideas about vacant properties for which the Department has no use, they will be considered. The Department obviously has an interest in realising value from those properties because moneys realised are re-invested in resources for the Defence Forces. However, we are in a different financial climate from that which prevailed three or four years ago. Values are substantially less than they used to be. In dealing with individual properties, I and my officials are realistic about funding that may be realised from individual properties, depending on their condition and location. I encourage both Deputies in the House to pass on any good ideas they have about individual vacant properties that do not appear to be moving in any particular direction. When dealing with what are essentially residential properties, there is the possibility of their being put on the market and sold at a realistic price to provide accommodation, where that is appropriate.

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