Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of army overholders; the discussions he has had regarding the provision of permanent housing in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46612/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Defence Forces Married Quarters are provided to serving members until their retirement or resignation. The term overholder is used to describe former members of the Defence Forces and their families who have refused to leave the quarters within 15 days of leaving the service. There are currently 50 overholders living in military accommodation. I refer the Deputy to Question No 150 of the 2nd June 2010 (Reference 23757/10)and Question No 220 of the 21st October 2010 (Ref No 38396/10) which stated - "The Department has had three meetings with Kildare County Council over the past two years to discuss, amongst other things, the issue of the continued occupation of married quarters by former members of the Defence Forces. Discussions have not taken place with any other local authority, as this is predominantly an issue arising in relation to the Curragh Camp. Kildare County Council has informed the Department that the overholders must be registered on their housing list before any consideration can be given to providing accommodation for them." The position remains unchanged.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the projections arising from the closure and disposal of various military barracks throughout the Country over the past 12 years has been realised; the total receipts from such sales; the costs if any associated therewith; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46613/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Ten military barracks have been closed since 1998. The receipts accruing from the sale of the first five barracks were as follows: Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig €44.5m, Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy €973,889, Devoy Barracks, Naas €9.3m, Castleblayney Barracks €761,843, and Clancy Barracks, Islandbridge €25.4m.The Government decided on 1st July 2003 that Magee Barracks, Kildare would be among the State lands released to Kildare County Council for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. However, this will not now occur and the Department has retained control of this property.

In relation to the Government decision of 14 October 2008 that approved the closure of the barracks at Monaghan, Longford, Rockhill and Lifford in Donegal the current position is as follows:

- Monaghan Military Barracks has been disposed of for €3.1 million

- part of Connolly Barracks, Longford has been sold for €950,000 while some interest has been recorded in the remaining portion of the barracks

- Rockhill Military post is being prepared for public sale, although an agreement is in place with another Government agency for the purchase of part of the lands.

-the sale of Lifford Military post remains under negotiation with another Government agency.

Minimal costs are incurred in relation to the sale of premises as the preferred method is by public tender.