Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A review and update of my Department’s property portfolio is carried out on a regular basis. Where properties have been identified as being surplus to military requirements, procedures are put in place for their disposal. In accordance with Government policy, the normal procedure is that all properties for disposal are in the first instance offered for sale to other State bodies and Government agencies. Where no interest is registered from the State sector, the properties are generally then put on the open market to be sold by public tender or public auction.

My Department has been engaged on an ongoing programme of barrack consolidation since 1998 that has resulted in the closure of 14 military barracks. Sales have been fully completed on nine of these properties. Of those sales, seven properties, including part of Longford Barracks, have been sold within the public sector and two have been sold to private individuals. The sale of a further three barracks, at Castlebar, Lifford and Clonmel, as well as a part of Longford Barracks, to the public sector has been agreed and that is expected to be completed within weeks. Of the two remaining properties, McKee Barracks is expected to be put up for public auction in the second quarter of 2015 and Mullingar Barracks is currently being used by An Garda Síochána, the Customs Service and a number of local organisations, including Westmeath GAA. Discussions are also ongoing with a number of interested parties regarding the future use of Mullingar Barracks.

In addition, a number of other properties, including married quarters and Reserve Defence Force premises, have also been sold. In the case of married quarters which are outside military installations, the majority were sold to the occupiers and members of the Defence Forces. Over 20 Reserve Defence Force premises have been sold since 1998. Three were sold to local authorities and one to a State agency, with the remaining sold to private individuals. There are a number of other smaller properties remaining, which are being prepared for future disposal. I hope that gives a general picture.

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