Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement regarding future plans for barracks including any planned closures. [8898/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government, in July, 1998, approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question were located at Ballincollig, Fermoy, Castleblayney, Naas, Kildare and Islandbridge, Dublin. The sale of Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, Castleblayney Military Post, Devoy Barracks, Naas and Clancy Barracks, Dublin have been completed, together with most of Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig. The disposal of the remaining lands at Ballincollig is being progressed at present.

Subsequent to its closure, the Government decided on 1 July 2003 that Magee Barracks, Kildare, would be among the State property released for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. The legal formalities relating to its transfer under the Initiative are being progressed with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which is the lead Department for the development of the Affordable Housing Initiative, and in consultation with the Chief State Solicitor's Office.

There are no plans to close any further barracks. My Department's property portfolio is, however, kept under on-going review and any properties deemed surplus to military requirements will be disposed of to fund much needed investment, to meet the equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces.