Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There has been very significant investment in accommodation within the Defence Forces. I refer to single accommodation. This mainly relates to programmes of induction and training on recruitment. For example, one of the more significant investments was made in the naval centre at Haulbowline. Some very historic buildings there have been refurbished in a very well-designed and aesthetically pleasing way to facilitate good-quality accommodation. That has happened in Cathal Brugha Barracks and other barracks as well. I will provide details in respect of that in the reply to a later parliamentary question. I also recently halted the demolition of up to 12 houses at the Curragh with a view to having them refurbished for accommodation purposes. It has been traditional policy for more than 20 years not to house personnel. We have been weaning off that programme, although quite a number of Army personnel are still housed within quarters. That matter is open to question but we have to be realistic as to the meaningful impact that could have on people on housing lists and so on. However, in the first instance, there is now significant investment being made in accommodation at barracks. There is an open question as to what more we can do over and above that.

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