Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 443 of 25 November 2008, when a gym and football pitch will be made available at the Dundalk barracks; if he will confirm funding has been withdrawn towards the provision of a gym; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43871/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is engaged in an on-going capital programme designed to modernize and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces both Permanent and Reserve. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. The provision of training facilities and equipment are reviewed as part of this programme.

Consultants have recently been appointed to design a new gymnasium for Aiken Barracks, Dundalk. It is expected that work will commence in late 2009.

Projects are prioritised in terms of addressing Defence Force operational requirements taking into account the annual capital allocation for the on-going building programme. Should the current allocation change the building programme will be reviewed and projects in the programme will be prioritised on a needs basis.