No plans to sell more barracks, says O’Dea
The department’s property portfolio is, however, kept under continual review, the minister said.
“Any properties surplus to requirements will be disposed of to fund much-needed investment to meet the equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces,” he told Fine Gael’s Bernard Durkan.
The opposition frontbencher had sought details on the receipts and costs associated with the closure and disposal of six military bases during the tenure of the former minister Michael Smith.
According to Mr O’Dea, the disposal of the properties raised more than €85 million, although security and other maintenance costs were nearly €3.8m.
The sale of the six army barracks fell short of the target of €100m anticipated by the department. However, all funds raised would be reinvested in military equipment programmes and accommodation.
The military installations were put on the market in 1998. Earlier this year, Magee Barracks in Kildare was the last to be sold.
Murphy Barracks in the Cork satellite town of Ballincollig fetched the highest price, with one of the lots in the 91-acre complex going for €41m.
Mr O’Dea said €3m is expected to accrue in sales of sites at the former Murphy Barracks to the Southern Health Board and the Department of Education and Science. The near 14-acre Clancy Barracks at Islandbridge, Dublin, was sold for €25m while Devoy Barracks in Naas brought in over €9m in sales to local authorities. Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, made €973,889 and Castleblayney Military Post made €761,843.
