Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that military officers are still residing in containers in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, in which for periods in the recent past there has been no electricity, heating or hot water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2145/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Twenty self-contained en-suite sleeping units were purchased in December 2007 to provide accommodation for military officers in Cathal Brugha Barracks during term time when they were attending third level education courses. While these units are repeatedly referred to as "containers" – they are in fact purpose built living quarters which, for the purposes of military standardisation and transportation, are designed around the size of a standard International Standards Organisation (ISO) container (commonly called a 20' container).

The units are built to meet required standards in terms of insulation and fire resistance meeting all relevant regulations and all are provided with heat, electricity and hot water. They are designed for single occupation only and are allocated on that basis alone. The military authorities have advised me that no reports were received formally by the Barracks Logistics Officer or the Area Engineer Officer in Cathal Brugha Barracks in relation to the lack of electricity, heating or hot water prior to the exceptionally cold spell of weather experienced recently. During the thaw after the recent cold spell, there were some reports of burst pipes in the heating system which have been attended to. Such incidents are not confined to these units and have occurred in locations throughout the Defence Forces.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Air Corps Beechcraft aircraft has been put out of commission; his plans to replace this aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1998/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that, due to maintenance and certification issues, the Beechcraft Super King Air 200 aircraft is permanently grounded. The question of funding a replacement aircraft has to be considered in tandem with the equipment requirements of the Defence Forces generally and the overall funding available. In the current economic environment and given the pressures on the Defence Budget, a replacement aircraft for the Beechcraft is not regarded as a priority and, as such, there is no provision in this year's Defence Estimate to cover a replacement aircraft.

As the Deputy may be aware, a very significant level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps has taken place in recent years. The comprehensive investment programme included the delivery of Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60m, the acquisition of two light utility EC 135 helicopters at a cost of €12.8 m, the acquisition of six utility AW 139 helicopters at a cost of €75 m and a major mid life upgrade on the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft at a cost of €16.5 m.