Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Landy for raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to explain the position as regards Columb Barracks. Following the closure of the barracks in March 2012, officials in the Department of Defence wrote to Departments and other public bodies inviting them to express any interest in the property, with a view to its disposal by the Department. No such interest was expressed at that time.

As I am sure the Senator will be aware, the Department was approached by the Westmeath GAA County Board for the use of the barracks as a training centre. Parts of the barracks in Mullingar are currently used by the county board on a short-term lease and discussions are taking place with it regarding its future use of the barracks. The former barracks is also currently used by An Garda Síochána and the customs service for training purposes.

A number of other local groups, including the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, IUNVA, the Order of Malta and the midland youth services have also been allocated units in the barracks on short-term basis. In addition, the Department has also received numerous requests from other local community groups wishing to avail of accommodation within the barracks.

The Irish United Nations Veterans Association has occupied the former officers' mess unit in the barracks since late 2014 and has requested a long-term lease on the premises. Officials from the Department have met the association's representatives on site to discuss its plans for the barracks and have raised questions regarding those plans. The premises were initially provided to the IUNVA on the basis that it would be used as a meeting place for members of the association. Since then it has come to our attention that the lUNVA's long-term vision for the premises includes the provision of a coffee shop, overnight accommodation for its members and a bar.

Also, the Department of Justice and Equality, which is the lead Department for the refugee accommodation programme, is considering whether any of the buildings falling within the remit of my Department, including Columb Barracks, are suitable for the purposes of temporary accommodation for refugees. While the Department supports the ongoing use of the barracks by the local community the current financial and administrative burden resulting from the retention of the barracks cannot be sustained given that the barracks is no longer required for military purposes. Accordingly, officials of the Department will be happy to discuss with any interested group, including the local authority, any proposals they may have for the possible purchase and future development of the site for the benefit of the local community. This is in keeping with the Department's policy to dispose of surplus property no longer required for military purposes.

I would say to Senator Landy that the example in Clonmel, where the local authority took the lead with a master plan, would be fitting. I am only representing the Minister here today, but it strikes me that the future of Columb Barracks lies with a master plan and that the lead authority should be the local authority. Many of the local organisations could then be accommodated within the barracks. It is clear from the response that the officials would entertain that.

In this regard, officials from the Department are scheduled to meet the CEO Westmeath County Council in the coming weeks to discuss possible future plans for the barracks. They would also be happy to discuss, with any interested group, any proposals they may have for the possible purchase and future development of the site for the benefit of the local community. In the circumstances, it is not possible to enter into a long-term lease with any of the current occupiers of the barracks.