Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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144. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is proposing to review current duty rates in the Defence Forces; the last time these duty rates were reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42517/24]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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145. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current position with a military service in County Kildare (details supplied); the plans for the future of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42518/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise that the Military authorities have submitted a recommendation on the future of the Fire Service in the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp. My officials are considering same and have written to the military authorities on the matter. It will be necessary to establish Kildare County Council's formal position on the matter before any decision can be made.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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146. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the up-to-date position with the provision of military housing in County Kildare at the Curragh camp; if the report has been finalised; the conversations he or his Department have had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage or the local authority on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42519/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A consultant was commissioned by the Defence Forces to assess the condition of the vacant housing in barracks and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. My officials have provided observations on a final draft of this report, and I expect the Defence Forces to submit the report to me imminently. The provision of local authority, social and/or affordable housing is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Officials in my Department have not been in correspondence with that Department on that specific matter. However, my Department has engaged with local authorities in relation to the transfer of appropriate property holdings outside of barracks that are no longer required for military purposes and that could form part of the general housing stock available to local authorities. A number of properties have previously been transferred and my Department remains open to transferring vacant housing units to the relevant housing authorities, on a similar basis when they become available.

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, and engaged with that Department regarding relevant sites.

I am pleased to report that, in my tenure, significant investments have been made to improve the Defence Forces built infrastructure, particularly in the prioritised expansion of accommodation in recent years.I am aware that there is residual and historic housing stock remaining in some installations. While much of this stock is unoccupied and built before modern accommodation standards, on taking office I immediately instructed that some housing stock in the Curragh Camp marked down for demolition was to be renovated and modernised for single living in accommodation purposes. In addition I instructed that an assessment be carried out of all other housing stock under my Department’s control to determine how they can be best utilised for our personnel.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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147. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the new rank of Lance Corporal, as proposed by the Commission on the Defence Forces, will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42520/24]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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148. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has established or will establish a scheme where non-Irish nationals can be assisted with their naturalisation following an agreed level of service in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42521/24]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to address the housing needs of Defence Forces personnel stationed in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42557/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of local authority, social and/or affordable housing is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. It has also been a long standing established policy, since the late 1990's, to withdraw from the provision of housing quarters for Defence Forces personnel. This policy has been given effect on a gradual basis and long term accommodation is no longer provided. I am pleased to report that, in my tenure, significant investments have been made to improve the Defence Forces built infrastructure, particularly in the prioritised expansion of accommodation in recent years.

The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. As part of the implementation of this Plan we have to date provided some 365 bed spaces at various locations most notably the complete renovation of the derelict Block 8 in Haulbowline, the upgrading of accommodation in Cathal Brugha, Baldonnel and the Curragh Camp.

The Deputy may also wish to know that the following additional capital works for the DFTC accommodation are included in the IDP and are at various stages of design, procurement and construction:

• Refurbishment of 1 Accommodation Block Ceannt Barracks
• New Student Accommodation Facility.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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150. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to ensure the safety of Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon; if a contingency plan is in place should a strategic withdrawal be necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42589/24]