Written answers

Wednesday, 6 May 2009

8:00 pm

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 462: To ask the Minister for Defence the cost per soldier of the moves associated with the closure of a number of Army barracks and property to date, since the announcement of the closure plans in budget 2009, including payments made to soldiers and families of soldiers related to their relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18272/09]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 463: To ask the Minister for Defence the costs incurred in the Army barracks closed to date in 2009 with a breakdown of the cost per barracks and per heading, including evacuation, moving, maintenance, travel, security and all other costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18273/09]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 463 together.

The cost arising from the barracks closures over 15 months, including the initial renovation works, is estimated at €3.2 million, against annual recurring savings of approximately €2.7million. Most of the costs at the level of the individual soldier are once off or short-term costs arising from payment of Change of Station Allowance and the provision of transport on a temporary basis. Actual expenditure on Change of Station can only be determined once all claims have been received and processed. While a number of claims have been received to date, it is expected that there may be other personnel, who might have an entitlement, but have not yet submitted a claim. As a result, the detailed cost per soldier is not yet available.

The evacuation and movement of personnel and equipment from the closed barracks to the new locations was completed using Defence Force transport assets and, as such, no substantive additional costs were incurred in the move. The costs incurred in the army barracks closed to date in 2009 at Monaghan, Longford, Rockhill and Lifford is as follows: maintenance/repairs etc. €21,238, utilities €13,812, travel expenses for officials from my Department in connection with these closures €3,880 and provision of security €7,123. I'm sure Deputies will understand the need to secure the properties and maintain them in reasonably good order so as they do not fall into disrepair, are subject to vandalism or become eyesores in the towns in which they are located. The maintenance of the properties will also be important in ensuring my Department secures a reasonable price for the properties when they are disposed of.

In the medium term, based on current estimates, the total cost to the Department of closing the proposed barracks (including initial costs, allowances, transport, immediate works and capital works) should amount to approximately €5.9 million while total receipts/savings, including receipts from the disposal of the relevant properties, should amount to around €29.5 million, a net gain of €23.6 million. The above figures do not take account of the qualitative benefits accruing to the Defence Forces from improvements in collective training, savings on administration and management of the barracks closed or the costs of currently transporting troops from the closed barracks for training etc.

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