Delay in tackling dereliction on the Curragh Camp

A SOUTH Kildare TD has called on the government to address the ongoing problems of derelict housing in the Curragh Camp.

Labour TD Mark Wall put in a number of parliamentary questions on the piece, and has since put in a call to government on the issue as efforts to address it have been described as going at a “snail’s pace”.

The most recent information made available to Deputy Wall states 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. A procurement phase for this work is now expected to begin this year.

Deputy Wall said: “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. 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.

He concluded: “Government must respect our Defence Forces and that begins with revitalising and addressing the dereliction across the Curragh Camp. I will continue to engage with the Department of Defence and look forward to seeing meaningful progress on this issue.”