asked the Minister for Defence his future plans for the housing of married serving personnel at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Curragh Camp Housing.
7.
The next phase of my plans for the provision of houses for married serving personnel at the Curragh Training Camp is the invitation of tenders for the building of 50 additional houses. Arrangements are being made accordingly.
Would the Minister ensure that houses built for Army personnel in future will contain at least one fireplace as distinct from the last lot which were built and which have no such amenity?
This was the reason for the delay. This is now fixed and we will be beginning these houses this year. The previous two lots of houses were built in 1973—50 in the Curragh —and in 1974—20 in Athlone—without fireplaces. These new houses will be of the same type except that they will have a solid fuel range with provision for domestic hot water and in the sitting room an open fireplace.
Is the Minister aware that the answer he has given also appeared in the NBA report of 1974 where it was indicated that a further scheme of 50 houses was being planned for the Curragh Camp for people such as are mentioned here? Would he care to indicate what he has done since he came to office apart from the opening of the 50 houses in Orchard Park which everybody considered were lovely houses and nobody commented on the lack of fireplaces on that occasion——
Could we have a brief question, Deputy, please?
May I ask the Minister what he has done off his own bat to house people in the Curragh Camp?
In my Estimate last year I had a figure for 56 houses for the Curragh Camp but, because of the decision to move from no fireplaces to a solid fuel range, domestic hot water and an open fireplace, the houses had to be re-planned and unfortunately that carried them into this year. That was not my fault and, if I were to apportion any blame at all, I would apportion it to the National Building Agency.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.