Dáil debates

Tuesday, 28 June 2011

3:00 pm

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans regarding closed barracks that are currently unsold to be put to State or community uses, or by Government offices and agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17250/11]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Ten military barracks have been closed since 1998. Of the barracks closed, only four remain in the possession of the Department. These are Magee Barracks, Kildare town, part of Connolly Barracks, Longford, Rockhill Military Post, Letterkenny, and Lifford Military Post. Agreement in principle has been reached on the disposal of Rockhill and Lifford military posts to the local authority. The Department wrote to all Departments in 2009 to ascertain if they or agencies under their aegis had an interest in acquiring any of the barracks that remained in its possession. As a result, the Department of Education and Skills arranged the purchase of the old Monaghan Barracks and part of Connolly Barracks, Longford, by the respective vocational education committees.

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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In light of the Minister's response, will he indicate what is intended with regard to Magee Barracks, the only one of the closed barracks for which a solution has not yet been found? Is it intended to transfer the ownership of the barracks to the local authority or a similar body with a view to having it put to a purposeful use, rather than having it closed at a cost to the Exchequer arising from the need to secure the site?

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The site of the former Magee Barracks in Kildare town comprises, as the Deputy may know, some 64 acres. The then Government decided on 1 July 2003 that the former barracks in Kildare would be among the State lands released for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative. On foot of this announcement, Kildare County Council prepared a local area plan for the site which encompassed a range of uses, including community activities in accordance with the commitment of July 2002. The Department had been involved in the process of transferring ownership to Kildare County Council and the final contract of sale was sent to the solicitors for the council in 2009. I believe I made reference to this matter on a previous occasion in the House. However, the local authority subsequently contacted the Department to state it no longer wished to proceed with the development and did not have any interest in taking possession of the property.

The property now essentially remains with the Department of Defence. It will be disposed of by the Department, taking account of market conditions to maximise the return to the Defence Forces. No decision has yet been made as to when steps will be taken to dispose of the site. This is a matter to which careful consideration will be given.