Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made in resolving the issue with the occupants of the married quarters in Cathal Brugha Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3462/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Defence Forces Married Quarters are provided to serving members until their retirement or resignation. Defence Forces Regulations state that the Quarters must be vacated within 15 days of leaving the service.

Following previous attempts to resolve the situation regarding the unauthorised occupation of the quarters in question, a letter was sent to the occupiers on the 11 September 2008 as a first stage in commencing a process of dialogue. Subsequently the occupiers had a meeting with the Department on the 23rd of September. At that meeting they were informed that my Department would welcome the opportunity to work with them to achieve a solution favourable to all parties. It would appear now, that arising from that meeting, all occupiers wish to purchase the quarters. My officials undertook to review the possibility of selling to the occupiers and a further meeting was scheduled for the end of October.

At that meeting my Department outlined the conditions under which it would be prepared to dispose of the quarters and undertook to write to each occupant making a formal offer to sell, setting out the conditions of sale including price. These letters issued in early November and the occupants were asked to indicate their acceptance or rejection of the offer before the end of November 2008. Copies of all letters of offer and conditions of sale received from interested parties have been forwarded to the Chief State Solicitor Office with a view to progressing the sale of these premises.

While most occupants have accepted my Department's offer of sale, it is not clear at this time how many sales will be completed and what timeframe. I am satisfied that real progress is being made to bring this most unsatisfactory position to a conclusion that meets the needs of all parties.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Defence if all personnel have been removed from Monaghan Army barracks; the person who is now in charge of security at the barracks; the cost per week; if he has had discussions with other Departments such as with officials at the Department of Education and Science for the use of this site in the future; his views on whether it would be ideal for use as a higher education structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3397/09]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that there is sufficient reasonable quality accommodation for the Army personnel who have been moved from Monaghan barracks to Dundalk; if he will give an assurance that funding will be available to upgrade and provide realistic accommodation and sports facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3396/09]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Defence the arrangements his Department have or will put in place for the security of the barracks and posts being vacated by the Defence Forces; the estimated annual costs of these arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3554/09]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Defence if, in regard the budget 2009 announcement of the decision to close a number of Defence Forces barracks and military posts, he will list those closed at present; the estimated value of each such site, including buildings; if each such premises has been vacated; the manner in which it is intended to dispose of each site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3503/09]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps taken to secure the sites recently vacated by the Defence Forces; if private security firms have been engaged for this purpose; the estimated cost of providing such security services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3504/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is intended to divert the proceeds of the proposed sale of military installations, buildings or lands towards the further modernisation or upgrading of the Defence Forces or attendant facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3533/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 136, 137, 139, 147 and 154 together.

The military authorities had conducted a detailed review of the immediate requirements to enable the closure of Monaghan, Lifford, Rockhill and Longford Barracks. In addition to some immediate requirements, medium term capital works to provide more permanent arrangements for the transferring personnel, have also been identified. These works will be completed over the next year as part of the ongoing Capital programme.

The closure of the four barracks was completed on the 30th January 2009 and private security firms have been employed to provide security at the barracks in the short term with effect from the 30th January 2009. As the appointment of these contractor is temporary, for commercial reasons it would be inappropriate to state the cost per week at this stage. It is not anticipated that Private Security firms will need to be employed in the long term. However, my Department will continue to monitor the situation.

The matter of the disposal of this property will be considered in the context of the current property market. It is my intention that the funding and savings from this initiative will, in accordance with current Government policy, again be reinvested in the Defence Forces. My Department will consider all of the options open to it in that regard.

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.

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.