Defence | Using obsolete military installations to cater for refugees or the homeless

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if obsolete or disused military installations can be utilised to cater for refugees or people who are homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan T.D.

For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 2 February, 2023.

REPLY

The provision of accommodation for homeless persons is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. I am advised that my Department has previously submitted returns to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, in accordance with their suitability criteria, on property holdings which could be considered for the provision of accommodation for those persons seeking refuge from the war in the Ukraine.

At present the following current and former military installations have been made available for the purposes of accommodating those seeking refuge :

– Kilbride Camp, Co. Wicklow :

– Ballymullen Barracks, Kerry,

– former Columb Barracks, Westmeath.

– Gormanston Training Centre, Meath.