Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, has officially opened a new €4.5m Accommodation Block at Collins Barracks in Cork.

The addition of the new self-contained block, designed to accommodate 41 people, will increase the availability of single living-in (SLI) quarters and training lodgings for enlisted personnel stationed at the site.

Speaking in Cork today, 15 April, the Tánaiste said:

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"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."

Presently, there are ten ongoing Defence Forces accommodation initiatives spread across the country, collectively valued at nearly €50 million. These projects will provide 565 bed spaces for personnel.