More than €270,000 spent on Columb Barracks

Spending on Columb Barracks amounts to more than €270,000 since it was closed in March 2012, the defence minister has stated in relation to a Dáil question. The figures break down like this: €183,513.79 on security, €71,973.27 on utilities and €15,000 on maintenance, for a total of €270,487.06.

Deputy Clare Daly had asked the minister to provide a breakdown of the security and other costs of the barracks which were closed during the term of this government, and the plans for their future use.

The then-minister for defence (Deputy Alan Shatter) stated: During the term of this government four barracks have been closed – Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, O’Neill Barracks, Cavan, Columb Barracks, Mullingar and Mitchell Barracks, Castlebar. The closures were effective from March 2012. Agreement in principle has been reached for the sale of Kickham Barracks to South Tipperary County Council.

To date a total of €101,703.60 has been spent on security/management fees and €112,223.31 on utilities and other minor maintenance works. O’Neill Barracks was sold to the then County Cavan VEC. From its closure in March 2012 to its sale in early 2013, €62,453.25 was spent on security, €27,884.40 on utilities and €39,757.98 on maintenance works.

Columb Barracks remains in ownership of my department. It is currently under lease to Westmeath GAA Board. To date €183,513.79 has been spent on security costs, €71,973.27 on utilities and approximately €15,000 on maintenance works.

Mitchell Barracks has been sold to Mayo County Council and the sale is expected to close in the coming months. To date €9,224.77 has been spent on security, €4,334.91 on utilities and €2,783.01 on maintenance works.

I am pleased to see that many of the former barracks will be used for community, educational and sporting purposes in the future, the minister concluded.