Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of smaller properties identified as surplus to military requirements; if he will give details of those already disposed of and those being prepared for disposal; and the moneys received for each sale. [24523/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Defence's property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. The Department has been engaged in an ongoing programme of barracks consolidation since 1998 which has brought to 14 the number of barracks closed during that time. In addition, a number of smaller properties have been identified as surplus to military requirements. Some of these have already been disposed of, while more than 30 others are in the process of being prepared for disposal. These mainly consist of married quarters and Defence Forces Reserve premises.

The properties under this category disposed of since 2002 and the amounts received in each case are set out in the following table.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister indicated there that some 30 smaller properties are being prepared for disposal. Does he have an estimate based on current market values, which I accept may not be achieved, of the approximate value of those properties?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I do not have that figure. The total sum realised from the sale of all properties, including barracks, is more than €84 million. The figure relating to smaller properties already disposed of, as set out in the table, is €16,777,592. In the current market it amounts to an artificial exercise to seek to put a value on the group of smaller properties earmarked for disposal. Some of them may have no market value at the present time. This issue will be dealt with incrementally by the Department in the appropriate fashion.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I accept that some of these properties will not be considered for sale in the short term because the market does not support it. However, I presume some of them have an associated security cost in terms of their maintenance. Is there an ongoing cost analysis in respect of retaining these properties in the absence of any short-term plan for their sale? I assume some of them are married quarters, most of which, one would expect, are currently occupied. Will the Minister clarify that?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As I understand, there are no major security costs associated with the properties we are discussing. Some of them are married quarters which are now vacated. There are some married quarters that were supposed to have been vacated some years ago but have not been, for a variety of reasons. In the past, these matters have been the subject of Dáil questions. With regard to individual properties that are not utilised, if there are practical uses to which they can be put in the context of local communities, we will consider that constructively. There is no funding available within the Department to convert properties in any particular way, but if there are good ideas about vacant properties for which the Department has no use, they will be considered. The Department obviously has an interest in realising value from those properties because moneys realised are re-invested in resources for the Defence Forces. However, we are in a different financial climate from that which prevailed three or four years ago. Values are substantially less than they used to be. In dealing with individual properties, I and my officials are realistic about funding that may be realised from individual properties, depending on their condition and location. I encourage both Deputies in the House to pass on any good ideas they have about individual vacant properties that do not appear to be moving in any particular direction. When dealing with what are essentially residential properties, there is the possibility of their being put on the market and sold at a realistic price to provide accommodation, where that is appropriate.