Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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13. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has conducted an audit of property owned by his Department and if he is satisfied that any land/buildings no longer required can be identified for new purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42007/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since 1998, my Department has been engaged in an ongoing disposal programme for a range of properties that were identified as surplus to military requirements. The majority of these disposals in that period have occurred as a result of the re-organisation of the Defence Forces.

Once surplus properties are identified, my department is required to determine if the Land Development Agency, Government Departments, or Local Authorities are interested in acquiring same. Should no such interest be declared, my Department proceeds with the disposal of the property by way of unrestricted competition via public auction.

My Department can also dispose of property directly to Local Authorities for the purposes of house building, road widening or the provision of public amenities.

Following the establishment of the Land Development Agency in September 2018, the Government decided that two Defence properties would transfer to the LDA, the former Columb Barracks in Mullingar and St. Bricin's Military Hospital in Dublin.

In addition, under the Government's Housing for All plan, all Government Departments were asked to examine their land portfolio to assess if there is suitable land available for housing. My Department has actively engaged in this process and in May 2022 carried out an assessment of lands available for housing purposes within the parameters of the Department of Housing's then criteria.

Subsequently, my officials engaged with their counterparts in relation to possible transfer of Cathal Brugha Barracks. In July 2024, following an extensive consultancy which examined the feasibility of this, the Government agreed that the Defence Forces should retain the use of Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin and that the site will not be developed as a new housing-led mixed community.

The Deputy may also wish to note that there is a long standing policy of my Department and the Defence Forces allowing third party access to Defence Forces facilities and properties, in order to support local communities and to raise the profile of the Defence Forces amongst the general public. This policy extends to a wide number of groups and activities, including local schools, GAA clubs, soccer clubs and numerous community groups throughout the country.