Written answers

Wednesday, 27 September 2017

Department of Defence

Vacant Properties Data

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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215. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacant housing units his Department has under its control; his plans to bring these units back into use; the timeframe for them to be made available for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40857/17]

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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216. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of housing units the Defence Forces has that are classified as marital quarters; the number of those units that are vacant; the state of repair those units are in; the timeframe for the units to become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40858/17]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.

The Department commenced a process of phased withdrawal from Married Quarters for serving Defence Forces personnel almost twenty years ago. As a result, the number of family type accommodation units currently being used by serving Defence Forces personnel, as advised by the military authorities, now stands at twenty two (22).

The military authorities have also advised that there are some sixty-two (62) vacant former Married Quarter properties.

Fourteen (14) of these properties are located outside barracks and are presently scheduled for disposal.

Accommodation located within barracks is not disposed of. The majority (45) of the vacant properties that fall within this category are located within the Curragh Camp. In some instances, depending on its condition, the accommodation has been adapted to meet the needs of the Defence Forces for use as single living in accommodation. In other instances, properties, which are no longer considered to be economically viable, are demolished as resources permit, in order to address health and safety concerns or to make way for other required facilities.

In general, these vacated houses would require a level of investment to bring the units up to the standards now in place for such properties, which would not be cost effective in the long term.

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