Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of barracks closed since January 2008 which remain unsold; if alternative State uses have been completed for vacant barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42263/09]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of vacated and vacant Defence Force barracks still in State ownership as of 1 November 2009; the cost of maintenance and security of the said barracks; if a cost benefit analysis was performed to compare costs produced by the closures compared to the costs that would have arisen had the barracks remained functional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42257/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose taking Questions Nos. 7 and 11 together.

The closure of barracks and the consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective of the White Paper on Defence. The dispersal of personnel over an extended number of locations is a major impediment to essential collective training. It also imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in terms of barrack management, administration, maintenance and security. The consolidation process is designed to facilitate higher training standards, while also freeing up under-utilised resources and personnel for operational duties.

In the context of the 2009 budget, the Government approved the closure of four barracks at Monaghan, Longford, Rockhill and Lifford in County Donegal, and also St. Bricin's Hospital in Dublin. The four barracks closed at the end of January 2009. The closure of St. Bricin's is linked to the planned decentralisation of Defence Forces headquarters to the Curragh.

Following the closures, my Department contacted all other Departments to enquire if they or the agencies operating under their aegis wished to acquire any of the properties. Arising from that process, there have been ongoing discussions between my Department and Longford and Monaghan VECs, the Department of Education and Science and the Garda authorities in respect of the former barracks. These discussions are now at an advanced stage and will, I hope, be concluded shortly. Those premises that are not required by other State agencies or Departments will be advertised for sale by way of public tender.

With regard to costs arising from the closures, most of the costs at the level of the individual soldier are once-off or short-term costs arising from payment of change of station allowances and the provision of transport on a temporary basis. Actual expenditure on change of station allowances can only be determined once all claims have been received and processed. While some claims have been received, a number of personnel have not yet submitted a claim. As a result, the full cost is not yet available. The evacuation and movement of personnel and equipment from the closed barracks to the new locations was completed using Defence Force transport and, as such, no substantive additional costs were incurred in the move.

Since being closed, the costs incurred to date in 2009 at Monaghan Barracks are as follows: utilities - €17,500; provision of security - €3,462. The costs in relation to Longford are: maintenance and repairs, etc. - €7,075; utilities - €8,546; provision of security - €1,530. The costs for Rockhill are: maintenance and repairs, etc. - €9,220; utilities - €5,065; provision of security - €5,754. The costs for Lifford are: maintenance and repairs etc. - €7,900; utilities - €2,822; provision of security - €2,128.

The cost of providing additional building work and renovations at the receiving barracks to allow for the accommodation of troops moving to their new locations amounted to some €470,000. It is anticipated that further expenditure of €1.8 million will arise for the provision and upgrading of some accommodation and locker facilities in the receiving barracks.

Apart from the non-financial benefits of the closures, the costs mentioned will be more than off-set by recurring annual savings estimated at €2.6 million a year, mainly on security duties, utilities and maintenance costs. This does not take into account the proceeds from the sale of the four barracks. In addition to the four barracks closed in January the former McGee Barracks in Kildare remains in the ownership of my Department. This is the subject of a separate question. No expenditure is being incurred in respect of this barracks at present.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister clarify who is providing maintenance in these barracks at present? What is the position on security at the various barracks? Has the Minister or his Department had reports of any anti-social behaviour at the barracks? The question on McKee refers to that, I appreciate.

He mentioned VECs, but has the Minister had any approaches from community groups or has he encouraged any such approaches or offers regarding the uses of any property?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to individual firms, I believe the security contracts were put out to tender, but I do not know the names of the firms who tendered. However, I will get them for the Deputy.

On the question of anti-social behaviour, I have received complaints regarding McKee Barracks, but there is a separate question on that which we shall come to shortly. In relation to community groups I have made it clear that if they want to submit a bid or approach us, we shall be willing to listen. No community group has been directly in contact with me, but I cannot say whether any have approached the Department. I have told the Department to look favourably, if possible, at any such representations from community groups.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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With regard to Longford barracks, will that be sold to the VEC and the Garda at full market price or is there a different mechanism for disposing of it? With regard to the other barracks and St. Bricin's being put out to tender, is there an indication that there is a market of any kind for them at present? Essentially, is it intended to put them out to tender soon or is it envisaged waiting for an upturn in the market, if such should happen in, say, the medium term? It strikes me that if they go to public tender, they might be sold for very small sums and in these circumstances might not necessarily be developed but remain derelict. I am seeking an assurance that when they are disposed of, this will be done on the proviso the sites will be developed, so that we do not have derelict buildings in perpetuity.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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That is a fair point. With regard to the Deputy's first question about the barracks that are being sold to other State agencies, VECs, etc., the procedure will be to have valuers employed by the Department to give a proper valuation on these properties. That is the price we charge, essentially.

On the question of whether there is any great indication at the moment re St. Bricin's or other properties that might be available such as McGee Barracks in Kildare, there short answer is there is not. I take the Deputy's point that if one sets up a public tender at the moment one will probably get a very bad price. The Department is disposed to hold on to see whether the market improves. The Deputy's point is very valid. There is the possibility if they are put out to tender that some speculator could purchase them at a very low value and leave them there in the hope that property values could increase, while allowing them to go derelict. That is a very real fear and we shall bear it in mind. We had intended to wait until the market improved.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I refer to an article that appeared in one of the national newspapers today in which the Minister made a commitment to the effect that there will be no further barracks closures in this year's budget. Can the Minister confirm this was an accurate report that emanated from either the Department or the Minister himself?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to make it clear to the House that it did not emanate from me. My view on barracks closures is that the Government is committed to the idea of collective training and obviously, the fewer units one has, the more people will be trained collectively. I acknowledge there has been much difficulty and angst on foot of the recent barracks closures. My approach is to let things settle down. Consequently, the question of barracks closures certainly is not immediately on the agenda for the time being.