Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has identified any property of the Defence Forces that is not fully and economically utilised by the defence sector in relation to the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42185/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a programme of rationalising and disposing of property which is surplus to the requirements of the Defence Forces has been on-going for a number of years. In that regard the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme noted that my Department has identified 33 properties for disposal.

Any properties to be disposed of will take account of the market conditions, so as to maximise the return to the Defence Forces and generate funding for reinvestment in Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure. Significant progress has been achieved over the past decade in re-equipping and developing Defence Forces capabilities, using the proceeds from the sales of surplus properties and we need to ensure that this progress is continued. Having regard to the investment needs of the Defence Forces and given the current economic circumstances, it is important that my Department realises the full commercial value of the properties being sold.