Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Defence if all military quarters are up to international standards; his plans to address outstanding issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32231/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The refurbishment of residential accommodation is an integral part of my Department's ongoing building programme. Major contracts to improve the standard of accommodation have been placed over the past few years as part of an ongoing investment programme in the Defence Forces.

For example, in the period from 2003 to date, major accommodation upgrades have taken place in McKee and Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin; Coolmoney Camp, Wicklow; Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick; Kickham Barracks, Clonmel; Naval Base, Haulbowline; Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel; Kilworth Camp, Cork; Custume Barracks, Athlone and Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway.

Further accommodation upgrades are taking place this year in the Defence Forces training centre in the Curragh; Custume Barracks, Athlone; Finner Camp, Donegal and Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway. I hope shortly to announce the signing of a contract for a major accommodation refurbishment project at Custume Barracks, Athlone.

I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to the ongoing development of accommodation facilities throughout the Defence Forces. Improvements will continue to be carried out until all accommodation has been modernised.