Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in excess of 20 Defence Forces officers who are attending full-time third level education courses in Dublin are required to live in steel containers in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin; his views on whether this accommodation is suitable for members of the Defence Forces; the alternatives that were examined before the decision was made to use this accommodation; the reason these alternatives were rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42819/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Defence Forces regulations require members to live in barracks unless they are given permission to live out. Over the years the practice has been for significant numbers of personnel to live out of barracks. As part of the Defence Forces modernisation programme, approximately €40 million has been spent since 1999 on refurbishing both long-term and short-term accommodation across the Defence Forces.

Arising from the changing security situation and to provide a sound basis for future modernisation of living-in accommodation, my Department, in conjunction with the military authorities, is undertaking a study to identify the Defence Forces' overall long-term operational requirement for living-in accommodation. The study will also examine and determine the nature and standard of accommodation to be provided. There has been a delay in finalising the report but it is expected to be available by the end of the year. However, one of the preliminary findings of the study is that there is sufficient, good quality accommodation to meet the current requirement across the Defence Forces generally and any shortages are confined to only a few locations where the demand is high.

The outcome of the study will provide the basis for a three to five-year programme of refurbishment of living-in accommodation to be undertaken in conjunction with the overall Defence Forces infrastructure development programme. In considering the priorities for the building programme for 2008 and 2009, my Department has decided no further costs will be incurred on the refurbishment of living-in accommodation until this plan is in place. The requirement for living-in accommodation in Cathal Brugha Barracks is being considered as part of the overall Defence Forces requirements and the provision of any accommodation required there will be addressed in the plan. Approximately 77 officers are living-in in the barracks. This includes the officers referred to in the question.

I emphasise the accommodation referred to is of a temporary nature pending completion of the living-in accommodation plan. These units were built specifically as accommodation units for single occupancy. The units consist of en-suite accommodation and are fully furnished and heated. The temporary accommodation was specified, sourced and procured by the Defence Forces. The accommodation units comply with all relevant regulations and health and safety requirements.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I understand a number of these containers, which I am sure the Minister has seen, were used in the Glen of Imaal and a commitment was given to provide portakabins as a temporary measure. I have received information that the containers are totally inadequate and they are a total insult to the people living in them. The Minister would not live in them and I would not expect anybody to live in them. His reply is not accurate based on the information I have received and it is not acceptable.

While the Minister awaits the presentation of the report to which he referred, it is not acceptable that these officers must continue to live in this totally unacceptable accommodation. Will he consider other alternatives? For example, accommodation is available in Griffith College. Why does he not provide an allowance to the officers to seek accommodation in the private sector, as is the case with Garda recruits? Does he agree it is not acceptable to have these young officers, who are the future of the Army, living in these conditions?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In the various contacts I have had with elements of the military and the representative organisations, this matter has never been drawn to my attention. Nobody has mentioned it or has written to me about it.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I am bringing it to the Minister's attention.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am assured by my Department that the military engineers who sourced and prepared these accommodation units are perfectly happy with them. They compare favourably with the accommodation our troops must occupy sometimes when they are overseas.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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That is a different issue.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I accept that is a different scenario but I have been asked by my Department to convey an invitation to the Deputy to visit the barracks and to examine the units. We can discuss the issue after he has seen them for himself.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Such containers are usually found on building sites and workers drink tea in them.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Has the Deputy seen them?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Yes, I have a photograph which I meant to bring with me to show the Minister. I will pass it on to him.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I invite the Minister to visit the barracks.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I will. I have visited a number of barracks and I intend to visit the remaining barracks. However, the containers are not acceptable. Will the Minister confirm whether they were used in the Glen of Imaal and then transferred to this barracks?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I will find that out for the Deputy. The matter has been brought to my attention by this parliamentary question. I do not have the information but I will get it to him and let him know.