Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, has confirmed that a specification is being completed for the planned refurbishment of the kitchen and dining hall complex in Custume Barracks.
Minister Kehoe said it is expected that the specification and invitation to tender for the appointment of a design team for the project will be published on E-tenders in early October.
“Custume Barracks is an important, operational military barracks in which there has been considerable investment in recent years, amounting to €6.4m,” the Minister said. “The announcement of these refurbishment works will further enhance and modernise facilities available to members of the Defence Forces, located in Athlone.”
The news has been welcomed by Longford-Westmeath Deputy, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran: “I am delighted to confirm that the refurbishment of the kitchen and dining hall in Custume Barracks has been given the go-ahead and is now proceeding to tender,” said Deputy Moran.
“While the contract for the refurbishment has to go to tender, the total cost of the refurbishment is estimated to be in the region of €1m,” he said.
“One of my main priorities as TD for Westmeath was to ensure that the Programme for Government reflected my concerns that Custume Barracks would get all the necessary resources it requires to function as a strategic and fully operationally military barracks.
“I am confident that today’s announcement will be followed by more of this nature, and I would like to thank the Minister of State, Paul Kehoe, for taking on board my frequent representations regarding Custume Barracks.”
