Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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47. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which his Department owns property at Knockalisheen, Meelick, County Clare; the purpose for which this land is currently used; and his future intentions for this land bank. [48941/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The property and land owned by my Department at Knockalisheen, Meelick, County Clare amounts to some 51 hectares. The Deputy may be aware that my Department has given permission to the Office of Public Works for the use of part of this holding as a Direct Provision centre, which has been in operation for a number of years.. In addition, tentage has been erected by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration formerly Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs, following a request for assistance for the provision of accommodation for International Protection applicants.

It is not intended to dispose of these lands in the immediate future. I can assure the Deputy that any long-term usage will be informed first and foremost by the requirements of the military authorities.