Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for Defence the new capital projects associated with his Department gone to tender that will begin in 2010; the new capital projects gone to tender that were due to start in 2010 but are not now proceeding; the capital projects that are in the middle of construction at present; his views on the importance of such projects in getting capital flowing into banks and around the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3163/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is engaged on an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. The programme provides for new starts and the continuation of capital building projects already underway. The amount allocated in 2010 for this programme is €12.8m of which €7m approx. will be expended on projects already underway and the balance will be used for new starts in 2010.

There are no new projects that went to tender and were due to start in 2010 which are not now proceeding.

A number of capital building projects are at various stages of construction at a number of military locations. The main projects include gymnasium facilities at Aiken Barracks, Dundalk and Custume Barracks, Athlone, administration and security buildings at Finner Camp, and billet accommodation at Lynch Camp, Kilworth.

The principal projects due to go to tender in 2010 are new locker room facilities at both Aiken Barracks, Dundalk and Finner Camp, upgrade of dining hall/kitchen facilities at Kilbride Camp, garaging facilities at Custume Barracks, Athlone and upgrading of the medical facilities at the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp.

While I am aware of the importance of such expenditure in the context of the economy in general, it is also imperative that my Department and the Defence Forces look to whatever efficiencies we can make, taking into account the current difficult economic environment and the overall financial envelope available for the Department for investment in new capital building projects over the coming years.