Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin opens new €4.5m Accommodation Block at Collins Barracks, Cork

The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, today officially opened a new €4.5m accommodation block at Collins Barracks, Cork.

The new self-contained block, which has capacity for 41 people, will increase the supply of single living-in (SLI) and troops in training accommodation for enlisted personnel at the site.

Speaking in Cork today, the Tánaiste said, “I’m delighted to be in Collins Barracks today to open this state-of-the-art accommodation block for our troops.

“Since becoming Minister for Defence, I have been clear and consistent in my determination to do what’s necessary to modernise our Defence Forces; to ensure that this is an institution where every serviceman and woman feels valued, respected and is given the training and equipment they need to do the job their country asks of them.

“An important part of that is to improve both the quality and quantity of the accommodation provided to our personnel.”

There are currently ten Defence Forces accommodation projects, with a combined value of almost €50m, underway at different stages across the country. These projects will provide 565 bed spaces for personnel.

ENDS

Note for Editors

· The design incorporates a new detached accommodation block split into two wings connected by a link section, with accommodation over three floors. Bedrooms are of two types; a four bed dormitory configuration on the ground and first floors, with a single room accommodation configuration on the second floor. All areas are serviced by communal ablutions and common areas.

· The proposed building wings are simple in structure and deliver the capability to be configured to accommodate male and female either by block or by floor, with minor adjustments only to ablutions.

· The building was constructed by the Cork-based firm of O’Shea’s Builders Ltd and work was overseen by the Department of Defence’s Property Management Branch and the Defence Forces’ Directorate of Engineering.

· This project consisted of the construction of a three-storey new accommodation block, drainages works, mechanical services and Electrical services