Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Defence the cost of using private security firms to secure Defence Force's barracks each year for the last three years. [16002/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not employ any private security firm to secure barracks occupied by the Defence Forces.

However, private firms have, on occasion, been used to secure property that has been vacated by the Military. The cost incurred in 2008 was €166,851.73, in 2009 was €23,123.43 and to date in 2010 is €2,399.72.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of army overholders; the extent to which negotiations are taking place or have taken place with local authorities with a view to meeting the housing requirements of such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16085/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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There were 54 military properties overheld at 31 December 2009. Of these 54, agreements are in place with 11 of the occupants to purchase the properties as they are located outside of barracks. Negotiations to sell will soon commence in another two cases that are also situated outside barracks. The remaining 41 properties overheld are located at the Curragh, 38 within the confines of the camp and 3 outside the camp. A number of discussions have taken place over the past two years with the local authority in question and it has housed some of the occupants. It is the intention of the Department, over the coming months, to address the situations of overholders. It is likely that this will result in increase in demand for local authority housing by a number of the occupants while others will have their situation regularised.