Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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773. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Defence forces personnel currently based in Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath; if there are any plans to transfer any of them to other locations; if so, to the locations and the numbers of personnel involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27942/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have confirmed that the current strength of personnel in Custume Barracks, Athlone is 1,003. With the recent re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force from 3 Brigades to a 2 Brigade structure, and a strength figure for the Permanent Defence Force as a whole of 9,500, I expect the number of personnel serving in Custume Barracks will remain in the order of 1,000 personnel. There is a constant through flow of personnel into and out of Custume Barracks and indeed other Barracks. This is because military service involves personnel moving into and out of particular postings as they serve at home and overseas, receive training and undergo educational and career development courses.

Custume Barracks continues to be an important operational military barracks under the reorganisation.