Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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317. To ask the Minister for Defence if he expects to be in a position to maintain the comprehensive network of military installations throughout the country in order to ensure adequately and a high level of preparedness for any eventualities of a security or national emergency nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21558/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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My Department's property portfolio is kept under constant review to ensure that adequate facilities are available for the Defence Forces to carry out the duties assigned to them by Government. As the Deputy is aware I have indicated to the House previously there are no plans for further barrack closures.

Targeted recruitment will ensure that into the future the Permanent Defence Force can continue to deliver all operational outputs required by Government in the domestic environment as well as for overseas peace support operations. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment is also available for deployments in response to emergencies and crises. To this end I am satisfied that the Defence Forces are adequately resourced.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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319. To ask the Minister for Defence the number and location of the various military installations throughout the country which are currently fully operational, those that have been earmarked for closure in the coming years; the extent of the savings projected arising from proposed closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21560/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The military installations including permanently occupied barracks currently fully operational are set out in the following table. Whilst my Department’s property portfolio is kept under constant review, as I indicated to the House previously there are no plans for further barrack closures. In addition to these installations a number of other smaller properties are used by Reserve Defence Force (RDF) Units throughout the country. As the Deputy is aware a major re-organisation of the Reserve is being implemented which has resulted in a new organisational structure for the Army Reserve based on a “Single Force” concept where Defence Forces Units have Permanent and Reserve elements. These Units are based in Permanent Defence Force (PDF) installations throughout the country and in 16 locations outside of those installations. As a result a number of smaller properties currently occupied by the Reserve are being closed and will be disposed of. In accordance with standard practice my Department has contacted the various Government Departments and State Agencies to establish if those bodies have an interest in acquiring any of these properties. When my Department has exhausted all possible sales to other State Agencies and Government Departments the remaining properties will be disposed of by public tender/auction with the proceeds being used to fund the upgrading of Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure. As a result of these closures there will be some small savings on utilities and maintenance but it is not possible to quantify those savings at this stage. However, this new model for the Reserve will offer significant advantages in terms of training, improved interoperability and will enhance the overall capability of the Defence Forces. These changes will reduce direct expenditure on the Reserve by €11 million, whilst maintaining the budget for Reserve training activity.

FULLY OPERATIONAL MILITARY INSTALLATIONS