Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Defence if there are proposals or commitments to change the number of army barracks in the border region; if so, when and the location of same; his views on whether there is clear need for clarification on this issue in order that rumours can be dealt with head on and ensure personnel and their families together with the security of the State are guaranteed long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21846/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Permanently occupied military installations in the border region are located at Rockhill House, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal; Lifford, Co. Donegal; Finner Camp, Bundoran, Co. Donegal; Monaghan Barracks, Monaghan; Dún Uí Néill Military Barracks, Cavan and Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

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.

No decision has been made to close further barracks. My Department's property portfolio is, however, kept under on-going review. Properties deemed surplus to military requirements are disposed of and the funds invested to meet the equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces.