Curragh Camp properties identified for 'immediate refurbishment' 

THERE has been some much welcomed progress on tackling dereliction in the Curragh Camp.

A Department of Defence spokesperson has confirmed a significant step forward

“There are plans to refurbish, where feasible, the vacant and derelict housing stock at the Defence Forces Training Centre (in the Curragh Camp) to increase the availability of accommodation for serving Defence Forces personnel,” he began.

“To support this initiative, the Defence Forces commissioned consultants to assess the condition of the vacant housing stock, and determine its suitability for refurbishment or conversion into additional single living-in accommodation.

“Following this assessment, a number of properties in the Curragh and Dublin were identified as suitable for immediate refurbishment. It is intended that the procurement phase for this programme will commence in 2026,” he confirmed, although did not specify how many of the 62 derelict properties this would affect."

The response followed repeated calls by Kildare South TD Mark Wall on government to address the ongoing problems of derelict housing in the Curragh Camp, .

“That’s great news, I’m absolutely delighted,” said Deputy Wall when informed of the official confirmation.

“This has been a big problem for a considerable number of years.

“At a time when the Defence Forces is facing a shortage of recruits, having such vacancy rates there was a problem for them, but this news will surely improve recruitment."

Deputy Wall showed his concern with a number of parliamentary questions in which he raised on the matter, one he believes is negatively impacting the Defence Forces.

“This is very important for the Defence Forces because, in the middle of the housing crisis, I’m hearing from a lot of young people that would like to join the army but can’t because of this.

“But this is great news, and long overdue,” he said.

At the time when he went public with his concerns, Deputy Wall was of the belief that there are plans to overhaul the condition of vacant and derelict housing stock, and to increase the provision for serving personnel, which also includes the Curragh.

Procurement for this work will now begin this year, the money for which is above and beyond the €55m announced in 2023 for Defence Forces infrastructure.

It is believed that up to 62 homes lie vacant inside the HQ of the Irish Defence Forces, a fact that has led former TD and Army officer Cathal Berry to describe the Camp as “Ireland’s most derelict town”.

“The Curragh Camp is an important piece of Kildare, it is the jewel of the crown in the Defence Forces, and it deserves proper investment,” said Deputy Wall.

“Serving members of the Defence Forces have dedicated their lives to help support Ireland and in peacekeeping missions abroad.

“We owe it to them to provide sufficient living conditions as respect for their important work.

“Little progress has been made to improve the current housing conditions on the Curragh Camp since I first raised this issue previously in January and April of 2025.

“Government has been moving at a snail’s pace in their efforts in addressing this matter while homes lie empty.

“This is particularly important given the chronic lack of housing and high rents in Kildare.

“Government must respect our Defence Forces and that begins with revitalising and addressing the dereliction across the Curragh Camp."