Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will make the necessary arrangements with Westmeath County Council to ensure that Westmeath Civil Defence is adequately accommodated in a premises that fully meets its needs and passes health and safety regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39654/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The provision of accommodation for local Civil Defence Units is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. This is a long-standing position which was reaffirmed in the 2015 White Paper on Defence.

As Minister with responsibility for Defence I provide policy direction for Civil Defence and the Department of Defence manages and develops Civil Defence at national level. The Civil Defence Branch of the Department provides centralised training, administrative support and guidance and centralised procurement of major items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.

At local level, Civil Defence Units are based in each local authority area under the operational control of the relevant local authority. On a day to day basis these Units operate under the control of a Civil Defence Officer, who is a full-time employee of the local authority.

Civil Defence in each county is generally funded on a 70:30 basis, by way of an annual grant from the Department of Defence with the balance being funded by the local authority.

Senior officials from the Department of Defence have met with senior officials from Westmeath County Council earlier this year. This has been in keeping with efforts by the Department, since the closure of Columb Barracks in 2012, to explore a number of avenues to try and secure the long term future of the former barracks for the benefit of the local community. To date, Westmeath County Council has declined the option of availing of Columb Barracks for use, including for use by Civil Defence.

I met recently with a number of volunteers from Westmeath Civil Defence who outlined their concerns with the existing accommodation arrangements. I understand that this has also been raised at a meeting of Westmeath County Council.

Westmeath County Council have advised officials in the Department of Defence that they are conducting a review of the accommodation for Civil Defence in Westmeath. While the provision of accommodation is a matter for Westmeath County Council, department officials have offered to provide any advice required by the Council in developing their outline plan for Westmeath Civil Defence.