Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1457. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status and condition of the purpose built training range in use by Civil Defence at Ratra House, Phoenix Park; if structures at the range have been deemed unsafe; if maintenance and upgrade works are planned at the training range; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19184/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Civil Defence operates a training facility to the rear of Ratra House, Phoenix Park, Dublin. The facility includes an outdoor training range, which contains structures and debris designed to exercise various Civil Defence related scenarios. In this context, the range is a hazardous and potentially dangerous area. The nature of the structures and debris means that the range is unsafe for untrained personnel. The sites on the range are cordoned off to prevent unauthorised or accidental encroachment. The range is regularly used for authorised training, when specialist techniques and skills can be practiced. The health and safety of Civil Defence volunteers is a priority for me. The structures on the range are kept under review by the Department of Defence with maintenance and repairs conducted as required. Two of the structures on the range are currently unavailable for training, as maintenance and repairs are being progressed. This is part of the ongoing upkeep of the training range.