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

I agree with Deputy Moynihan. Haulbowline is complete and I visited it recently. It has very fine accommodation and there will be further developments there also. For the information of the Deputies, at present there are approximately 4,509 military accommodation bed spaces for Defence Forces personnel throughout the country. This is a significant number. It is used predominantly for training purposes but not always. Recently I instructed that some housing stock at the Curragh Camp originally marked down for demolition was to be renovated and modernised for accommodation purposes. In addition, I have instructed that an assessment be carried out of all other housing stock under the Department's control to ascertain its suitability for a return to modern accommodation usage and to bear in mind that some of these buildings have a heritage context and value. I do not believe they should be demolished.

It has been established policy since 1990 to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel. This is moving away from the historic provision of tied housing for State employees. It is a gradual programme, understanding the sensitivities for families. I have a list of projects but I do not have time to go through what has been completed and what is under way. There is a substantial number of projects.

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