Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Defence if work will commence in 2009 on renovating and converting C House, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin 6, to single officers' quarters in order to alleviate the situation of officers forced to live in steel containers at that barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17903/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In the first instance I must reject the suggestion that the officers in question are being housed in steel containers. The facilities provided to the officers are individual containerised accommodation units which are of the highest standard and meet all health and safety requirements. Each of the units contain a bedroom and study area, with desk and chair, and separate ensuite toilet and shower facilities. The officers also have full access to all the other facilities available in the barracks.

In relation to the commencement of work on Block C in House in Cathal Brugha barracks, the position is unchanged since I last addressed the issue in response to question number 45 on the 10th March 2009. At that time I advised that Projects in the Capital Programme are prioritised in terms of addressing the Defence Forces operational requirements taking into account the annual capital allocation for the on-going building programme. Given the current set of priorities it is unlikely that this project will commence this year. Should the current allocation change the building programme will be reviewed and projects in the programme will be prioritised on a needs basis.

As the Deputy will appreciate, in the current economic environment, capital expenditure projects must be subject to the most rigorous analysis. As I said previously in response to this issue, additional single living in accommodation may not be required in Cathal Brugha barracks in the long term. The temporary accommodation is only used during term time with the officers in question returning to their units during holiday periods. As such, it makes economic sense to provide this type of temporary accommodation, which cost €200,000 for twenty units, rather than expend €1.5 million euro of taxpayers money on additional permanent accommodation which may actually turn out to be surplus to requirements.