Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount the maintenance of Lifford and Rockhill Army Barracks cost the State in 2007. [40206/08]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount by which the annual running cost of Finner Army barracks will increase as a result of the closure of Lifford and Rockhill Army Barracks. [40207/08]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide a financial justification for the closures of Rockhill and Lifford Army Barracks in the form of a cost benefit analysis including envisaged redundancy costs to the State and the envisaged revenue that will be generated by the sale or lease of the two barracks. [40208/08]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount of money spent on capital investment and on refurbishment work annually at Rockhill and Lifford Army Barracks since 1997 to date in 2008 in tabular form. [40232/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 to 246, inclusive, together.

The annual maintenance costs for Rockhill and Lifford army barracks amount to approximately € 130,000 for 2007. This covers maintenance to buildings such as general repairs, painting and decorating. A further €160,000 approximately is spent on annual running costs such as gas, electricity, heating oil water and waste disposal.

It is intended to relocate personnel from both Lifford and Rockhill to Finner Camp, Donegal. It is envisaged that the extra annual running costs associated with accommodating these staff in Finner Camp will be marginal.

While the closure of barracks and the sale of the properties have provided funding for investment in the past, it has never been the driving factor for the consolidation of defence infrastructure. The consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective of the White Paper on Defence.

The consolidation process is designed to facilitate higher training standards, while also freeing up under-utilised resources and personnel for operational duties. The dispersal of personnel over an extended number of locations is a major impediment to essential collective training. It also imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in terms of barrack management, administration, maintenance and security.

As I have said in response to many questions in this House, Defence Forces properties are kept under constant review in terms of addressing Defence Force requirements and ensuring the most appropriate organisation of the Defence Forces taking account of the operational requirements. The development and increased capability of the modern Defence Forces when taken together with the improved security situation along the border has removed the rationale for having seven barracks/posts along the border and provided the opportunity for consolidation of units in a smaller number of locations. It should also be noted that the British Army has also closed most of its border posts already.

The current plan has been put together in close consultation and cooperation with the Defence Forces General Staff. It provides an overall package that will serve the needs of the Defence Forces into the future.

Expenditure on refurbishment and capital expenditure in tabular form is set as follows as requested.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the site, if he goes ahead with closure of Monaghan Army barracks; if it will be made available by public auction or if it will be transferred to another element of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40244/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective of the White Paper on Defence. The dispersal of personnel over an extended number of locations is a major impediment to essential collective training. It also imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in terms of barrack management, administration, maintenance and security. The consolidation process is designed to facilitate higher training standards, while also freeing up under-utilised resources and personnel for operational duties.

The funding previously realised from the disposal of surplus barracks and properties has, together with pay savings, provided some of the resources required for infrastructure, training-area development and equipment procurement. In this regard, the White Paper states: "the thrust of the Government decisions in the White Paper is based on their recognition of the necessity to enhance the equipment and infrastructure available to the Defence Forces".

It is anticipated that Monaghan Army Barracks will be disposed of, taking account of market conditions, so as to maximise the return to the Defence Forces and generate funding for reinvestment in Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure in accordance with Government policy.