James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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14. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether there is a need to enhance the community use of the playing pitches at Cathal Brugha Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6099/25]

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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My question to the Minister is to ask his views on whether there is a need to enhance the community use of the playing pitches at Cathal Brugha Barracks.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. I know this one well because we have met with Ranelagh Gaels on a number of occasions in recent months. I thank him for the work he has been doing with them. The Defence Forces facilities that we have are, of course, primarily for our Defence Forces but where it makes sense to make parts of that available for community use for sports use and for our young people then we should do that as well. The Deputy will be aware there is a long-standing policy of my Department and the Defence Forces of allowing, where possible and appropriate, third parties to access Defence Forces facilities and properties to support local communities. It also raises in a positive way the profile of our Defence Forces among the general public. This policy does extend to a wide number of groups and activities, including GAA clubs, soccer clubs and numerous community groups across our country.

While the Defence Forces use the pitch facilities for their own activities, I am pleased that currently a number of schools and sports clubs in the local community surrounding Cathal Brugha Barracks have arrangements in place for the usage of the playing pitches within the barracks outside of those times. In that regard the all-weather pitch is currently being used by the community for a total of 27 hours per week, while the GAA playing pitch is used by two local sports clubs - Ranelagh Gaels and Portobello GAA - for a total of 28.5 hours per week.

I take the point of trying to agree a longer-term arrangement, which I believe is where the clubs want to get to. I am very supportive of that I will work with the Deputy on that. I am pleased that my officials are currently in engagement or negotiation with Ranelagh Gales and Portobello GAA with a view to try to put in place a longer-term arrangement for the use of the GAA pitch, which would allow for enhanced development with regard to lighting, changing facilities, and the condition of the pitch. People need to know they are going to have the use of it on a longer term basis for them to make these planning decisions.

I assure the Deputy that my Department is absolutely committed to ongoing positive engagement with the clubs and with local schools to ensure the use of those military facilities where possible.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister. It is great to hear his own personal commitment to this advancement in addition to the Department. I wish to highlight our gratitude to the Department for the good faith negotiations they are having with Ranelagh Gaels and Portobello GAA, and for the years of community supports that the Defence Forces and the Department have offered up to the area.

As the Minister said, it is about the long-term facilities there. Ranelagh Gaels is a club that started when I left school, although I might have been a bit better on the round ball than the oval ball had it been there when I was there. What has developed in our community is a club where more than 1,600 people are now members of Ranelagh Gaels. Every child at every door we knock on has a Ranelagh Gaels jersey. It has grown the sport not just among young boys but in particular among young girls and teenage girls. We know that to ensure we retain teenage girls in sport the changing facilities are a big part of it. This is why having this long-term arrangement would make such a big difference to the club.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is entirely right. I have had the benefit of being in his constituency and meeting with him and the Ranelagh Gaels in previous roles I have held. I look forward very much to doing that again and to personally assisting in any way I can on this, and more broadly in regard to Defence Forces facilities across the country. There are sensitivities around Defence Forces facilities, as there should be, but there is also a common-sense approach that my Department and the Defence Forces endeavour to take. These are State assets and State resources. Where they can be used for the community, and particularly for schools and sporting clubs, there is a real advantage. I am conscious that having a certainty around use allows clubs to plan investment to put in place changing facilities. I know that is a big issue for Ranelagh Gaels. I congratulate them because 1,600 members is a sign of such a successful and vibrant club.

I look forward to visiting them again with the Deputy shortly and to my officials continuing to engage. My understanding is that meetings have already taken place and that discussions are ongoing on the longer arrangement. Let us work together on it.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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This is very welcome. I am sure the club will be delighted to hear all of the Tánaiste's contributions to this debate. As he said, this shows in a positive way how the Defence Forces and barracks can become integrated in an urban community. The best way in which Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines can be integrated in the community is through the level of support the barracks has always shown the two GAA clubs operating in the area. Demonstrating this investment in the future will make a massive difference to so many children in the area. Ranelagh Gaels have pioneered autism-friendly sports through the Ranelagh Rockets, which the club runs every Saturday and which makes a massive difference to the children who engage with it as well as for inclusion generally in the entire community. It has been such a wonderful initiative. It is great to have the Tánaiste's support.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Tá cúpla soicind fágtha ach ní fiú dul ar aghaidh le haon cheist eile, faraor. Is é sin deireadh le ceisteanna chun an Tánaiste agus an Aire Cosanta.