Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Defence when the training hall will be constructed on Slievenamon Road, Thurles, County Tipperary for the local Reserve Defence Force unit; when protective wet clothing will be made available on an individualised basis for each member of the Reserve Defence Force for when they are training in inclement weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32168/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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There are no plans to construct a training hall in Thurles, County Tipperary for the Reserve Defence Force. The military authorities inform me that the current facility in Thurles meets the needs of the RDF. My Department was approached some time ago by a developer who wished to access his adjoining property through a portion of the RDF property in Thurles. However, no agreement has been made by my Department to sell any part of this military property, nor has any commitment been entered into regarding the incorporation of any portion of the property into any proposed development in the vicinity.

There is an ongoing capital building programme in my Department designed to modernise the living, training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces, both permanent and reserve. There has been an unprecedented level of spending on the programme to date with more than €200 million spent between 1999 and 2005. This year will see a further €21.8 million invested in the programme. The programme, based on prioritised needs, is agreed between the civil and military authorities and approved annually by the Minister.

On the issue of protective clothing, a quantity of disruptive pattern material, DPM, wet suits is available to all members of the RDF on a pool basis within each formation. Each formation has an allocation of 1,500 suits. There are currently no plans to provide each member of the RDF with a DPM wet suit.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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If there are plans for a private development at the rear of the training centre, when are they due to come to fruition? Has the Minister secured an agreement with the developer to replace existing buildings with new structures? If so, will this meet the future needs of the centre?

Considering the Reserve Defence Force is due to be more closely integrated with the Permanent Defence Force, it would be appropriate for it to have the same protective clothing as the Permanent Defence Force. Those who give up their time voluntarily cannot be expected to serve side by side with professional soldiers where one group has the best quality protective gear while the others are sloshing around in unsuitable gear. It is time to look again at this matter and provide clothing that is geared towards the individual.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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To answer the first of Deputy Costello's questions, no agreement has been entered into by, or on behalf of, the Department with any third party. The matter was subject of an application to the local authority for planning permission and that permission, subject to conditions, was granted some time ago. One of the conditions stipulated that the development must be carried out solely within the property owned by the applicant — which one would expect — and that no part of the development should encroach on the rights of adjoining property owners without prior consent of the owner. I presume this refers to the Department of Defence. My Department does not intend to pursue this proposal. There is no agreement in place. Refurbishment works were carried out in that building this year and money has been allocated for further works next year. There are no plans to sell, lease, loan, or otherwise dispose of any part of the property to any third party.

I understand the point the Deputy is making about integration between the Permanent and Reserve Defence Force. There are 1,500 wet suits for each of the four formations. Therefore, there are some 6,000 suits for a total reserve complement of approximately 9,500 members. It is a matter of acquiring an additional 3,500 wetsuits. I will look favourably on this. I am currently engaged in detailed and difficult discussions on the Estimates with the Minister for Finance. I estimate the expenditure on the additional wet suits would range from €1.25 million to €1.5 million. I will make the case for it to the Minister for Finance.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I welcome the Minister's positive response towards finding the necessary money to provide wet suits for the reserve.

The Minister said refurbishment works have been carried out on the training hall. My information is that the existing centre is not up to scratch and something more substantial is needed to meet the needs of the Reserve Defence Force in the area.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The military has informed me that the current accommodation is quite suitable. Refurbishment works have been carried out in the RDF facilities in Thurles this year. As a result of the modernisation, the facilities now include offices, a lecture room and a reception area. It is intended to provide modern office furniture, floor covering and IT facilities in 2007.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Costello's points about providing standard equipment, such as wet suits, for the Reserve Defence Force are well made. Is the Minister satisfied with the amalgamation process of the Reserve Defence Force to date?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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It is going pretty well and we are on target. It is currently under review and we have not had too many complaints. However, when involved in a process such as this, one will inevitably get some complaints. We are doing our best to meet any complaints that arise.