Tánaiste officially opens new Cadet School HQ at the Defence Forces Training Centre
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From: Department of Defence
- Published on: 28 February 2025
- Last updated on: 1 March 2025
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris today (28 February) officially opened the new Defence Forces’ Cadet School Headquarters at the Defence Forces Training Centre. The project received an investment of €5.4 million.
The new Cadet School Headquarters, which will replace the existing temporary pre-fab facilities, will provide the Defence Forces with a permanent facility to support the induction and training of officer cadets.
Speaking at today’s official opening of the new headquarters, the Tánaiste said:
“I’m pleased today to officially open the new Defence Forces’ Cadet School at the Curragh Camp. The provision of this new modern, fit-for-purpose headquarters for the Cadet School is further evidence of the government’s commitment to invest in our Defence Forces facilities and indeed our personnel.
“This new project means the leaders of tomorrow’s Defence Forces will enjoy facilities that will ensure they reach their full potential as newly commissioned officers. The new school headquarters will also provide the staff with facilities appropriate for the training and development of officer cadets.
“It is particularly fitting that these facilities are being officially opened as the 100th Cadet Class approach their commissioning next month. I would also like to acknowledge the work of all those involved in bringing this project to such a successful conclusion, including the personnel in the Defence Forces’ Directorate of Engineering as well as the team of officials from the Property Management Unit in my department.
“This building is completed to a very high standard and it is particularly appropriate that the new headquarters incorporates the Pearse Guard Room building, which will bring a new use to a historic building, which is over one hundred years old and which will be well known to generations of cadets.”
As part of his visit to the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Tánaiste also had the opportunity today to open the new vehicle garaging facility, which will provide modern, fit-for-purpose secure storage for up to 40 soft-top heavy trucks.
The new garaging facility will protect these vehicles from the elements which can erode their operational effectiveness. Providing secure indoor garaging will prolong their useful working lives.
A particular feature of this new building is the installation of a number of solar panels on the south-facing roof surfaces, which will provide the possibility for renewable electricity generation which can be distributed throughout the electrical network across the DFTC. This is a further illustration of the Defence Forces’ commitment to greater sustainability and has the potential to generate significant savings over time.