Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make provisions available in order that Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath, will be leased out to various organisations from Westmeath; in view of the fact that there are many organisations that would be interested in using the premises, however works will need to be carried out on the barracks to make it suitable to lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31457/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As with previous rounds of consolidation under the Defence Forces modernisation programme, barracks once vacated are being disposed of with the proceeds being used to fund the upgrading of Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure. Since the announcement of the Government decision on barrack closures my Department has written to each Government Department and various agencies and local authorities seeking expressions of interest in acquiring any of the properties to benefit the local community as a whole but with particular emphasis on job creation measures.

As a result I can confirm that agreement has been reached with Mayo County Council for the purchase of Mitchell Barracks Castlebar. The Council has already taken over the property under a caretaker agreement pending full completion of the necessary legal paperwork to complete the transfer of Title.There have also been discussions between officials from my Department and a number of other State agencies in relation to the sale of Kickham Barracks Clonmel, and Cavan however these discussions are still ongoing. Some discussion has also taken place in relation to Mullingar Barracks however no substantial progress has been made towards achieving a sale.

The retaining of Mullingar Barracks by my Department, completing necessary works, administering multiple leases and fulfilling the many responsibilities of a landlord would put a significant administrative and financial burden on my Department. Given the current resources available and the need to provide investment funding for the development of the Defence Forces I do not feel that the multiple leasing arrangement proposed is feasible and does not meet the purpose of the lands disposal programme as outlined in the White Paper.

I can assure you that every effort will be made to dispose of the barracks so as to maximize the benefits to the local community.