Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount spent on major capital projects at the Curragh Camp over the past five years; the number of major projects ongoing at the Curragh Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11585/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The White Paper sets out a comprehensive programme for the development of defence and the Defence Forces for the period 2000 to 2010. This programme is expressed in terms of policy decisions taken and goals, objectives and plans to be achieved. These include a rebalancing of defence resource allocations achieved through payroll savings and the sales of properties, and the reinvestment of these resources in new equipment and improved infrastructure for the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps.

To achieve that objective, a barracks reinvestment programme was initiated by my Department to complement expenditure on the normal range of building and engineering works for the purpose of providing modern living, operational and training accommodation for the Defence Forces. This special programme was centred mainly on the Curragh Camp and on Collins Barracks, Cork. While the main elements of this programme were completed in 2004, a number of other projects have been and will continue to be undertaken. Details of the expenditure of €64 million on major capital projects, that is, projects costing over €1 million, undertaken in the Curragh between 2000 and 2005 are shown in the following table. There is one major capital project ongoing in the Curragh Camp and a further one is planned to commence later this year.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome that reply. Is the Minister in a position to elaborate on the types of major capital projects under way at the Curragh? I welcome the capital investment because there was a period in which the Defence Forces had been starved of it. While many of the barracks in which members of the Defence Forces were housed were fine architecturally, they were from another era. I welcome the decision to engage in a major upgrading programme. Are projects being considered that may not require major capital investment? Are there capital investment projects in addition to that at Collins Barracks, Cork? Is there a proposal, as part of the celebrations on the anniversary of the 1916 Rising, to mark the fact that seven barracks at the Curragh complex are called after the signatories of the Proclamation of Independence?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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There is one major capital project under way at present, that is, the refurbishment of block 7, Connolly Barracks. This project will provide modern accommodation for 99 Defence Forces personnel.

On the question of major capital projects planned for this year, it is proposed to upgrade the infantry weapons wing and the NCO school. The upgrade will provide modern office training and ancillary facilities for the school. It will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of training and will benefit both staff and students.

Three other large projects are under way at the Curragh, a new sports changing facility, the reroofing of Pearse officers' mess and the renovation at MacDonagh Barracks, blocks G and H. I expect all three projects to be completed this year.

Other major capital projects under way include the refurbishment of accommodation facilities at Custume Barracks, Athlone, the refurbishment of accommodation at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, the upgrade of brigade headquarters and the medical facility at Collins Barracks, Cork, the upgrade of the kitchen and dining hall at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, and the refurbishment of the armoury at Mellows Barracks, Galway. It is expected that these projects will be largely completed this year. The capital allocation for building work projects for the Defence Forces in 2006 is just short of €22 million.

The Deputy asked about commemorating the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. We have plans to unveil seven monuments to seven individual signatories. I will go to the Curragh shortly to do that.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I know the people of Kildare South are decrying that they do not have a Fine Gael representative. It is good to see Deputy Carey taking an interest in the area. I know that many people from Finglas are in the barracks there. The mental telepathy on the monuments for the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation shows a Government on song and in tune with its backbenchers.

The Minister mentioned that €22 million is to be spent this year on capital projects. If the Minister cannot outline the figure now, I will accept it later. How much of that spending comes from funds obtained from the sale of Defence Forces resources? The Minister is familiar with the Curragh Camp and he will return there shortly. Would he agree there is considerable space in the area, given that the Department of Defence is seeking land to locate the Defence Forces headquarters in Newbridge, which will prove very costly, when a few miles away it could easily obtain a site with the compliments of the Minister, which would save the Exchequer several million euro, which money could be pumped into upgrading the facilities, in which Deputy Carey is very interested?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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We have already allocated the money to upgrade those facilities. I do not know how much of the capital spending comes from funding obtained from the sale of Defence Forces resources: I will let the Deputy know. I imagine the percentage of that spend arising from the sale of property is quite low. We have almost run out of money obtained from property sales and the money being provided now is the money I have managed to wrest away from the Department of Finance in the annual Estimates wrestling match. It is quite a significant sum, which relates to additional major capital projects, improvements etc. over and above routine expenditure on wear, tear and maintenance. It represents a significant investment.

We have gone a considerable distance towards the acquisition of a site in Newbridge. The land at the Curragh has a value. I am not sure that land is any cheaper. While I realise we own the land there already and if we are not using it——

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There is considerable space there.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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If considerable space is available, I am sure we will put it to the best possible use.

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I am disappointed an tAire did not mention the refurbishment and development of the FCA headquarters in Mallow.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I have received very strong representations from Deputy Sherlock on the FCA headquarters in Mallow. I will make immediate inquiries as to what is happening there and communicate with the Deputy in the next day or so.