Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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9. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department is preparing a plan to assist with the urgent housing of members of the Defence Forces in military accommodation that is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22808/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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10. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department has set out a five year-plan to acquire or build apartments or houses that would accommodate members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21031/23]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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Is the Department preparing a plan to assist with the urgent housing of members of the Defence Forces in military accommodation that is already available?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, the Permanent Defence Force provides a significant level of single living accommodation for serving personnel, where this accommodation is required by personnel for training and operations duties. There are in excess of 4,500 places currently within all the military installations.

I am pleased to be able to update the Deputies on the significant investments we are making in improving the Defence Forces built infrastructure, particularly on how we have prioritised the expansion of such accommodation in recent years.

As part of the implementation of the Defence Forces infrastructure plan we have to date provided 365 bed spaces at various locations, most notably the complete renovation of the derelict block 8 in Haulbowline and the upgrading of accommodation in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Baldonnel and the Curragh Camp.

We are, I am also glad to report, increasing the delivery of such infrastructure. This year alone, we have provided €55 million to the improving and maintaining of the building infrastructure. Notable new accommodation projects under way this year include: the upgrade of the current derelict block 4 in Haulbowline; new accommodation blocks in Collins Barrack and at the Gormanston training centre; and the upgrade of the former university service army complement, USAC, building in Galway.

Taken together, the infrastructure plan will entail the provision of 900 bed spaces and represents a significant investment in our personnel. I am satisfied it will substantially meet the needs of the Defence Forces.

That being said, I am aware that there is residual and historic housing stock remaining in some installations. While much of this stock is unoccupied and built before modern accommodation standards, on taking office I immediately instructed that some housing stock in the Curragh Camp marked down for demolition was to be renovated and modernised for single living accommodation purposes. In addition, I instructed that an assessment be carried out of all other housing stock under my Department's control to determine how they can be best utilised for our personnel.

I reassure the Deputies that accommodation for the purposes of single living is provided in all military installations for operational and training purposes.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Tánaiste.

The situation in the Curragh Camp has been brought up by my comrade, an Teachta Patricia Ryan, on several occasions but since I was appointed junior spokesperson for defence, wives and partners have come to me with some truly heartbreaking stories. The basic needs of safe housing of these families' men and women who have served us so proudly are not being met. It really is a shame when we have, as the Minister said, accommodation on the Curragh Camp.

I am pleased that he has stopped the demolition of those houses. There are more than 60 vacant houses. Has he a timeline for when he expects them to be ready?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Significant investment is under way in the accommodation. On the precise use of that accommodation, currently it is, for training and operational reasons, tied to work, etc. Historically, there was what we would call "tied" housing within the military where housing was provided. It was known then as tied housing provision. In the early 1990s, the discontinuance of that started for a number of reasons and it was done on a gradual basis to minimise disruption to families, personnel, etc. Since then, the focus has been on training and operational activities. We are concentrating on renovation and upgrading existing accommodation facilities. I have given instructions that I do not want anything demolished, either on the Curragh or elsewhere.

On the next stage of that and the policy question as to whether we start building houses again, we have to take on board the broader community environment, crèches, etc. It is not only about building houses anymore. There is the desirability of that within barracks, etc. That is a bigger question. On the timelines, I can get those for the Deputy in respect of the projects that are under way.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Minister mentioned the availability of 4,500 bed places. I wonder how many of those are currently occupied because in many cases, as he outlined earlier, accommodation was left not maintained over the years and not improved and brought up to modern-day standards.

In my question, I asked had the Department put in place a five-year plan setting out clear goals annually for the next five years. The Defence Forces are crucial to us as a country. It is extremely important that we provide standard accommodation for personnel so that they are not under the pressure of trying to be out in the rented market and having to get accommodation if they are moved from one area to another. It is extremely important that we have a five-year plan and I would ask that this would be considered.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is such a plan. There is a yearly programme. For example, the following accommodation projects at a cost of €37 million will progress during 2023 and 2024 providing 365 beds: Collins Barracks, a new accommodation block; the upgrade of the former USAC building in Renmore; the refurbishment of block 4, Haulbowline; the refurbishment of block 1, Collins Barracks; the refurbishment of Stephens' block C, Kilkenny; and Gormanston Camp, new accommodation block.

Since the infrastructure development plan, IDP, in January of 2020, the following accommodation projects at a cost of €22 million have been completed: the refurbishment of block H, McKee Barracks, 34 beds; the refurbishment of block 8, Haulbowline, 70 beds; the refurbishment of blocks B and D of Pearse Barracks, 48 beds; the refurbishment of Plunkett block 7, Defence Forces training centre, DFTC, 58 beds; blocks 1 and 2, Cathal Brugha Barracks refurbished, 80 beds; and refurbishment of the apprentice hostel, Casement Aerodrome, 75 beds.

There are approximately 77 vacant residential-type properties under the remit of my Department. Ten are in Cork, five in Dublin and 62 properties are in Kildare. None of them can be occupied without considerable refurbishment. They were built before building regulations, etc. I have asked that those would be renovated.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Could I ask-----

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Deputy will get another opportunity.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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I appreciate the Minister's answer. This goes to the wider issue of how the Defence Forces are treated and valued. We talk about recruitment and retention. We really have to start at retention. We have to retain the members who are working in the Defence Forces. They are trained already. The priority has to be keeping them.

This could be an indication to the committed members of our Defence Forces, who obey orders and take their commands to protect the State, that the State has their backs as well. I would appreciate if the Minister would send a copy of the plans to me.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I would be happy to do so. I outlined quite a number of the plans already. We are looking at about 588 beds between what has happened and the following projects, which are at various stages of design development. In Cork there will be 186 beds between Collins Barracks and Haulbowline. Those are on their way at the moment. I have seen the work myself. There will be 48 beds in Kilkenny, 100 beds in Gormanston, 172 in the Defence Forces Training Centre, DFTC, 13 in Cathal Brugha Barracks and 69 in Renmore. If any personnel within the Defence Forces are in difficulties we ask them to contact the personnel support services to see what assistance can be given. I will get the programme for the Deputy.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I very much welcome what the Tánaiste has outlined with regard to projects that are up and running at the moment, particularly for Haulbowline and Collins Barracks in my constituency. I know the Tánaiste has set out what is planned for Collins Barracks and what is going ahead but is that going to be added to over the next number of years? Is there a plan to add to that? It is a major centre for the Defence Forces and a large number of Defence Forces members are based there. Will it be further expanded?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is the intention. We have to get this project up and running first but it is going well. I have also asked for more single en-suite provision, although not in all cases. We will upgrade the quality of the facilities that are being provided. The Haulbowline facilities are worth a visit but again there could have been some improvements there and full equality from a gender perspective in terms of what is provided. There is constant upgrading of the quality of the accommodation going on but I stress that in the immediate term we are looking to upgrade what is there for training and operational purposes and to make sure that any accommodation there, no matter how poor it is at the moment, is upgraded to the point where it can be to be used for accommodation purposes.