James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Defence the total amount spent by his Department upgrading and improving facilities at Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath following the closure of Connolly Barracks, County Longford in 2008 to accommodate Permanent Defence Forces personnel from both barracks in Longford and Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38274/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Connolly Barracks, Longford and Columb Barracks, Mullingar, closed in 2009 and 2012 respectively. The majority of personnel and equipment associated with these Barracks were relocated to Custume Barracks, Athlone.

In order to facilitate the increased numbers of personnel in Custume Barracks arising from the consolidation programme some improvement works were required. These works were carried out in conjunction with ongoing planned infrastructure improvement works under the Department's building programme and are designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Under this programme there has been considerable capital investment amounting to some €6.38m from 2009 to date at Custume Barracks, Athlone.

The most recent major projects undertaken at the barracks include the construction of Armoured Vehicle Garaging facilities (€932k), a Gymnasium (€1.82m) and an upgrading of gas and water main facilities (€597k), including the provision of new underground services and associated works. The improvement and rationalization of facilities in Athlone over recent years benefitted the incoming units from Connolly Barracks and Columb Barracks as well as the units already located there. In addition to the major capital projects as outlined above, there are ongoing works required to ensure the upkeep and repair of buildings and provide facilities generally for personnel. Recent examples include the upgrading of Accommodation Blocks 'K'’ and 'I' (at a cost of €357k) in order to provide transit accommodation for personnel, including those relocated under the barrack consolidation programme. Additional locker facilities were also provided (at a cost of €397k) for personnel transferring into the Barracks over that period.