Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 606: To ask the Minister for Defence if money will be spent on Castlebar military barracks, if so, the timeframe for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the west is the only area in the country with no current facilities for RDF training and that the summer training camps for the RDF are totally overcrowded; his views on whether the minimum spend facility will be up to standard and available for use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31464/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Castlebar military barracks is primarily a Reserve Defence Force facility and provides training facilities, office accommodation and storage facilities for Permanent Defence Force cadre and unit personnel of units stationed in the barracks. The military have costed the refurbishment of some buildings necessary to effect compliance with building, health and safety and fire regulations to provide permanent accommodation and catering facilities for RDF summer camps. The estimated cost of approximately €4 million raises value for money considerations. Therefore, there are no plans at present to carry out any major building or refurbishment works on the barracks.

Western Brigade is well served with training facilities for RDF personnel at Finner Camp, Donegal, Dun Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway; Custume Barracks, Athlone, Columb Barracks, Mullingar, Connolly Barracks, Longford and Dun Uí Néill, Cavan where accommodation and training facilities are of the highest standard. The military authorities have informed me that there is no evidence of overcrowding in RDF summer camps in the western brigade.