Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for Army barracks that are no longer in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6205/13]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence his intentions with regard to Army barracks that are no longer in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6191/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 18 together.

Since 1998 a total of 14 barracks have been closed under various barrack consolidation programmes. To date, nine of these barracks, Clancy in Dublin, Castleblaney, Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Monaghan, Cavan, Castlebar and a large portion of Longford, have been sold.

On the remaining barracks, agreement has been reached for the sale of Lifford and Rockhill to Donegal County Council. Discussions are ongoing on the possible sale of Clonmel barracks and the remaining part of Longford has been reserved for the Office of Public Works for a local Garda station.

Magee Barracks in Kildare and Columb Barracks in Mullingar remain the property of the Department. All remaining vacated barracks as well as any properties identified as surplus to military requirements will be disposed of by my Department, taking account of the market conditions, so as to maximise the return to the Defence Forces.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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What have I got, two minutes?

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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We have eight minutes overall for the questions and answers, and others may join in the questioning.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for the response.

Two critical pieces of property exist here, in Columb Barracks in Mullingar and, grounds with which I have particular affinity and about which I have concern, the Magee Barracks in Kildare. What is important about these two pieces of property is their strategic locations in respect of the two significant towns where they are located. We all wish to see Columb Barracks in Mullingar developed for employment generation and we would urge the Minister to continue with whatever initiatives he has in mind there.

Significant local dissatisfaction exists in County Kildare at the fact that the 65 acres of Magee Barracks, which is located centrally within the town, remains undeveloped. Indeed, far from being undeveloped, it has become a focus for ongoing anti-social behaviour. One accepts that to come up with a plan for the strategic development of 65 acres of land in a town the size of Kildare in the current climate is a major challenge. To what extent have the Minister's officials been engaging with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the local authorities and other State bodies?

Can I raise with him a question-----

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Would Deputy Ó Fearghaíl like to let the Minister answer that and then respond? The questions should be limited to one minute so that there is a conversation.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Acting Chairman for his guidance.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I would be an enthusiast for the disposal of both barracks if there was an appropriate proposal made in that regard.

There has been a long history of engagement with State agencies on Magee Barracks since its closure in 1998. In 1999, at the request of the then Department of Foreign Affairs, part of the site was made available for use as a temporary accommodation for some 265 Kosovar refugees. In 2000, at the request of the Reception and Integration Agency of the then Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, part of the site was made available for use as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. In late 2000, at the request of Kildare County Council, part of the site was made available for use as a temporary halting site for members of the Traveller community.

In July 2003, the then Government decided that the former barracks 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. The Department had been involved in the process of transferring ownership to Kildare County Council and the final contract for sale was sent to solicitors for the local authority in 2009. However, the local authority subsequently contacted the Department to state it no longer wished to proceed with the development and had no interest in taking possession of the property, and the property was returned to the Department of Defence in its entirety. The question of putting the property up for auction is being actively considered.

On Mullingar, some discussions have taken place with potential buyers from the State sector. However, no firm interest has been shown at this time.

When I became Minister, there were particular problems with the site in Kildare which was being accessed and there were difficulties with regard to parts of the property which were in a dilapidated condition. It is regrettable that what is a major site was left for over a decade vacant and used for a variety of purposes with no direct plan being put in place for its development. In the current economic climate, it is obviously a matter of great difficulty in dealing with this but I would very much welcome a re-engagement by Kildare County Council. For example, in Clonmel, the local authorities have come together with my Department and there has been substantial engagement with a view to putting together a plan for the future use of Clonmel barracks. I would very much welcome Kildare County Council showing a similar interest in this site and its potential with a view to some practical arrangements being put in place.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Are there any supplementary questions?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I acknowledge the Minister's role in securing the site although, unfortunately, it continues to be breached. The Department incurred significant expenditure in attempting to secure the site.

I deplore the fact that Kildare County Council did not achieve ownership of the site when it was offered to it in 2009. It is a disgrace that the local authority did not proceed at that time. I put it to the Minister, given that he is now the owner on behalf of the Irish people, that it is incumbent on him to be proactive in this matter.

I would suggest that Kildare County Council has a role, but so, too, has the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Gone are the days when we want to see this site developed for affordable housing. That proposition is certainly a dead duck and it is not one about which I was ever wildly enthusiastic. However, it is a site that has considerable potential in terms of job creation and, perhaps, recreational amenity facilities, as it has for educational facilities. The Minister has a role and I would call on him to be proactive in engaging with his ministerial colleagues on the matter.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl. That was the perfect minute.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is an important site with significant potential. It is unfortunate that its potential has not been realised more actively.

Since I have become Minister, my Department has done everything possible with regard to the various vacant sites by circulating State agencies and Departments and making it known that sites are available. The site in Kildare has been vacant for a long time. Deputy Ó Fearghaíl's party was in government for the major portion of the time when this site was vacant and did not succeed in doing anything other than having it used for temporary purposes and effecting what I could describe as a degradation of the site because of the different purposes for which it was designated and, ultimately, arrangements that were envisaged to be implemented with Kildare County Council never came to pass. However, I would very much like to see something happen.

We have taken similar steps with Mullingar to the steps we took in Clonmel and in Cavan. Cavan barracks, when it was closed, was taken over by the local VEC, which is already functioning there.

Unfortunately, similar interest was not shown in Mullingar either. I would encourage the local community and the local authority to look at possible uses for what is an historical barracks on an important site. There are some limitations on how it can be used because some of the buildings are designated buildings but it should not be impossible with an active engagement to identify appropriate uses. It is not something the Department of Defence can do on its own. My Department does not have a role in developing these sites.