David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is considering the closure of any further army barracks in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38121/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence property portfolio is kept under review by the Department to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. The closure of barracks and the consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective of the White Paper on Defence. The dispersal of personnel over an extended number of locations is a major impediment to essential collective training. It also imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in terms of barrack management, administration, maintenance and security. In the context of the 2009 Budget, the Government approved the closure of four barracks, which has been achieved and also St. Bricin's Hospital in Dublin. The consolidation of St. Bricin's is linked to the provision of modern medical facilities within the existing Departmental property portfolio. The Deputy will be aware that the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended the closure of Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines. However, Cathal Brugha Barracks is a very significant military installation with a wide range of facilities, accommodation and storage depots and would be costly to replace.