I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 34 together.
The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women, ONE, which has enjoyed the long-standing official recognition of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, is an organisation dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces by way of providing accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter and other assistance that may be required. ONE is a limited company with charitable status.
In recognition of the work that ONE undertakes on behalf of ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen, my Department provides to it an annual subvention of €40,000. This annual subvention is paid in quarterly instalments, subject to the submission by ONE of certified accounts. The funding is provided to support the general overheads of the organisation and expressly not for the provision of services that are provided to citizens, including members of ONE, from other arms of the State. This covers housing, health, social assistance, etc.
In addition to the funding provided to ONE, my Department also provides annual funding to a second officially recognised veterans association, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, IUNVA. Membership of IUNVA, which was formed in 1990, is open to any person, serving or retired, who has successfully completed a tour of duty with a UN force or organisation.
Clearly, the work that ONE undertakes makes a very tangible difference to the lives of many former members of the Defence Forces each year. In this context, it is appropriate that I acknowledge the staff and board of directors of ONE and commend them on their ongoing hard work and commitment to the organisation over the years.