Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Defence his priorities for Columb Barracks in Mullingar in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34450/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Following the closure of Columb Barracks, my Department invited Government Departments and other Public Bodies to express any interest in the property, with a view to its disposal by the Department. No such interest was expressed at that time. As the Deputy is aware, my Department was approached by the Westmeath GAA County Board for the use of the Barracks as a training centre. The barracks in Mullingar is currently used by the County Board under a short term lease an extension of which is currently under negotiation. The former barracks is also currently used by An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service for training purposes and it is intended that these arrangements will remain in place. A number of other local groups including the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), the Order of Malta and the Midland Youth Services have also been allocated units in the Barracks. Leases with these and other local community groups are currently being progressed by Property Management Branch in my Department. The Department of Justice and Equality, who are the lead Department for the refugee accommodation programme, are also working with my Department to establish whether any of the buildings falling within the remit of my Department are suitable for the purposes of temporary accommodation.