asked the Minister for Defence if he will have steps taken to expedite the carrying out of repairs to married quarters, having regard to the long periods which frequently elapse between complaints being made and execution of repairs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Married Quarters.
69.
Repairs required to married quarters are brought to notice by the occupants or in the course of periodic inspections and are attended to by the maintenance staff as quickly as possible. It may sometimes happen that the maintenance staff is engaged on more urgent work and is not available to deal with minor repairs at once.
Is the Minister aware that there are several quarters in the Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin in which there are serious complaints of dampness? These complaints have been voiced for several years, and so far, the authorities have taken no steps to remedy the dampness existing there. If it existed in private buildings, they would be condemned by the local authority.
If the Deputy sends me particulars, I will have the matter specially investigated.
Will the Minister undertake that no disciplinary action will be taken against the soldiers living in the quarters in question?
I did not hear the Deputy's question.
Will the Minister give an assurance that no disciplinary action will be taken against the soldiers living in the quarters in question, having regard to the fact that clearly there must have been some communication—
We do not do business that way.
I can assure the Minister that I saw the dampness myself in the course of social calls.
We do not take disciplinary action in such cases. We are quite a humane organisation.
70.
asked the Minister for Defence why married quarters are inspected monthly; to what use information collected in the course of such inspections is put; by whom the inspections are carried out; and the time occupied monthly in this task.
Married quarters are inspected monthly for the purpose of ascertaining their condition and, where appropriate, the condition of official furniture therein. Action is taken as considered necessary in the light of the inspection reports. The inspections are carried out by military officers who are normally accompanied by barrack foremen of works. The average amount of time spent on the monthly inspection of each married quarters is approximately five minutes.
71.
asked the Minister for Defence when he hopes to make a decision on the suggestion that electricity power supply and plug sockets be provided in all married quarters.
This matter is under active consideration in my Department at present. It is not possible to say when a decision will be made but there will be no avoidable delay in dealing with the matter.
I warn the Minister that I will table the question again in a month's time.
We may be in recess in a month's time.
That is optimistic.
I will table it before then.