Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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113. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will consider funding a Defence Forces liaison officer to deal with the significant housing challenges that are facing serving members and liaise with housing agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18312/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since the 1990s, the long-standing policy of my Department has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel. This policy approach remains reflective of the State’s move away from the historic provision of tied housing for State employees. The move away from this provision was accepted by senior military management at the time and has been acknowledged as a long-standing policy.

The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027, including investment in accommodation for training and operational purposes.

The capital allocation for building works in military installations and barracks across the country for the last five years was some €170m. This year the capital allocation stands at €50m for capital investment with a further €12.5m allocation for ongoing maintenance and running costs. In terms of development of accommodation the following are the current capital works projects at respective stages of ongoing construction, procurement, and design and planning:.

Projects on-going

• The development of a new modular accommodation block at Casement Aerodrome
• The refurbishment of Block 4 accommodation block in Haulbowline.
• The refurbishment of Block 1 Accommodation in Collins Barracks, Cork.

• New Accommodation Block, Collins Barracks
• Refurbishment of Block C, Stephens Barracks
• Upgrade of Former USAC Building, Renmore

• Haulbowline Refurbishment of Old Comms Cadet Accommodation
• Haulbowline Refurbishment of the Cadets Mess Accommodation
• Gormanston Camp, New Accommodation block
• Stephens Barracks, Refurbishment of Blocks A, B, D, E & F
• Cathal Brugha Barracks, Refurbishment of C House
• DFTC, New Student Accommodation Facility
• DFTC, Refurbishment of Ceannt Block 1

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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114. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the refurbishment of derelict and vacant housing on the Curragh Camp; the actions his Department has taken to date to refurbish these properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18324/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that a consultant was commissioned by the Defence Forces to assess the condition of the derelict and vacant housing in barracks, including those in the Curragh Camp and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. My officials will be reporting to me with recommendations on how to proceed shortly. I acknowledge the Deputy's interest in the matter.