It will be at least September before a decision is made known on the level of relocation which will result from the recent downgrading of Custume Barracks in Athlone.
The Department of Defence confirmed this week that, while consultation is ongoing between the department, military, and PDFORRA, the organisation which represents Army personnel, it will be at least early September before it is revealed which personnel will be affected.
A spokesperson confirmed that the decision on the reorganisation of the Defence Forces, announced on July 17, is final. This will see numbers in Custume Barracks fall by 96 from 1,067 to 971.
However, PDFORRA said it will continue its fight to avoid the relocation of troops from Athlone.
“It is a question of seeing to what extent it is possible to keep the numbers as they are and to give personnel the opportunity to reskill from one discipline to another,” said Gerry Rooney of PDFORRA.
“Our target is to avoid relocation as much as possible.”
Deputy Denis Naughten said this week that clarification is urgently needed on the scale of personnel who will be moved out of Custume Barracks.
“Over six weeks ago I raised this very issue with the Defence Minister pointing out that up to 200 families may have to relocate as a result of the removal of the Brigade status from Custume Barracks in Athlone.
“It is now imperative that the Defence Minister publish the report that he has received from the Defence Forces on the restructuring of the organisation and to step back from any final decision until a full review on the implications of these decisions are considered,” he added.
