Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 298: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which military installations decommissioned by the State have been disposed of; the extent of funding accruing to the State therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12243/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 299: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of military installations decommissioned in 1998; the number and method of their disposal in the interim; the cost of maintenance, security or other costs borne by the State prior to disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12244/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 300: To ask the Minister for Defence if any military installations or property proposed for sale by the Government in 1998 which has not since been disposed of; the current use, if any of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12245/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 to 300, inclusive, together.

I would refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 109 answered on 4 October 2007 which dealt comprehensively with the barracks closed in 1998. By way of update the position with the former Magee Barracks is that following the cancellation of the Affordable Housing Initiative, Kildare County Council have advised the Department that they have no further interest in acquiring the property. The property will now be disposed of by the Department taking account of the market conditions so as to maximise the return to the Defence Forces.

In the Budget of October 2008 the closure of Longford and Monaghan Barracks, Rockhill House (Letterkenny), Lifford Military Post and St. Bricins Hospital Dublin was announced.

The sale of Monaghan to the local VEC for €3.1m was completed on 24 August last while the sale of part of Longford to the VEC for €0.95m was completed on 16 July last.

The position with Lifford and Rockhill is that discussions are at an advanced stage with Donegal County Council on the basis of them acquiring both premises over a 3-4 year period. Longford County Council has expressed some interest in acquiring Connolly Barracks and discussions with the Council are at a preliminary stage in this regard. In the event of these discussions not reaching a satisfactory outcome Longford Barracks will be disposed of taking account of the market conditions so as to maximise the return to the Defence Forces.

As the closure of St Bricin's Hospital was linked to the decentralisation programme it has been delayed somewhat.

Because of incidents of anti social behaviour and vandalism at a number of locations the Department incurred costs of approximately €220,000 in 2010 on the provision of additional security measures.