Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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7. To ask the Minister for Defence in view of the substantial security expenditure on Army barracks which have been closed in the Government's lifetime, if he will actively engage in proposals to put these premises to active use in association with community groups and other State agencies. [25797/14]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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There are four such barracks. One has been sold and another is in the process of being sold, but considerable money has been expended on them. My question relates to the remaining two barracks, in respect of which approximately €500,000 has been spent on security, etc. Could we put them to more productive uses?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for her question. During the term of this Government, four barracks have been closed: Kickham Barracks in Clonmel, O'Neill Barracks in Cavan, Columb Barracks in Mullingar and Mitchell Barracks in Castlebar. The closures were effective from March 2012. Agreement in principle has been reached on the sale of Kickham Barracks to Tipperary County Council. The council is developing a masterplan for the entire barracks in consultation with some State bodies that have expressed an interest in the site. O'Neill Barracks in Cavan was sold in 2013 to the then County Cavan Vocational Education Committee and is being used for educational purposes. Columb Barracks in Mullingar remains the property of the Department of Defence and is being used by the Garda and the Customs Service for training purposes. A large part of the barracks has been licensed to the Westmeath GAA board for use as a potential centre of excellence. Mitchell Barracks in Castlebar has been sold to Mayo County Council. That sale is expected to close in the coming months.

The Deputy will appreciate that many of the former barracks are or will be used for community, educational and sporting purposes.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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I am aware of that, but I am also aware that well over €500,000 had been spent on security. While some movement has occurred, it is not enough in the case of Columb Barracks. We could do much more. The idea of using the barracks as a national emergency training centre has been raised. It is not true to say that it is being utilised. The Reserve Defence Force unit is renting premises at a cost to the Department of Defence of approximately €30,000, Westmeath Civil Defence operates from leaky prefabs in another area and the Garda uses the shooting range, but none of this is enough. Will the Minister of State consider developing the site as a national emergency training centre? All of the State's organisations could use it, the local Reserve Defence Force unit could act as its staff, training could be undertaken during the summer, a crash training centre of excellence could be developed there and it could be used for water rescue training as well as rail disaster training, given its proximity to a disused railway. There is also an airfield. I would like the Minister of State to consider this suggestion as a better use of funds.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Following the closure of the barracks, the Department invited Departments and other public bodies to express an interest in the property. None did. In the meantime, a one year lease was signed with the Westmeath GAA county board for the use of part of the former barracks as a centre of excellence for the development of Gaelic games in the county. Subsequently, agreement has been reached in principle on a long-term lease by the board for the whole of the barracks. This will be put in place shortly.

The barracks is also being used for training purposes by the Garda and the Revenue Commissioners' specialist dog unit. I am unsure of whether there will be space left after the GAA board takes the longer-term lease. If there is, I can contact the Deputy directly.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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I am aware that the GAA is using a small part of it. As Deputy Wallace just called it, it is really the "Grab All Association". If the Minister of State is telling me that it will take over such an enormous site, I will be shocked. I would love to know what the GAA is paying for it. The Department's remit covers a national emergency training centre and is spending tens of thousands of euro on renting out facilities that could be utilised in that respect. It is also spending €180,000 on security for the site. If it was being used, the same level of security would not be necessary. Will the Minister of State confirm that the GAA will take over the entire site? If so, I would like published the figure for how much is being paid for it.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Like any other Department, the Department of Defence will not hide anything in this regard. I am surprised that Deputy Wallace called the GAA the "Grab All Association". I appreciate the work the GAA has done in my county, as I am sure is the case for every Deputy. I am involved in the GAA and have never referred to it as the "Grab All Association". I am surprised that Deputy Wallace would-----

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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I said it.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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-----whisper "Grab All Association" to Deputy Clare Daly.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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Just answer the question.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As other Ministers have outlined to the House, the consolidation of the Defence Forces' formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective in the ongoing defence in moderation programme. It has been recommended in many reports in recent years and is the Government's main consideration when addressing the issue, as releasing personnel for security and support functions enables the operational capacity of the Defence Forces to be maintained, notwithstanding the fall in strength.

While it has been necessary to incur costs in the provision of security to prevent vandalism and in maintenance to protect the fabric of the buildings, it should be noted that such costs are considerably lower than the cost of keeping the barracks open. Military personnel occupied in a security and support function when the four barracks closed on 30 March 2012 have been released for operational duties, leading to an efficiency gain of approximately €5 million per annum. In addition, direct cash savings of approximately €1.3 million per annum arise from utilities maintenance and security duties allowances in the four barracks.

A longer-term lease for the whole of the site will be signed shortly by the Westmeath GAA board. I will find out whether any accommodation will be available and will let the Deputy know directly.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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And the price.