asked the Minister for Defence the progress he has made regarding the housing of overholders in the Curragh Camp.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Curragh Camp Housing.
17.
The provision of houses for former members of the Defence Forces overholding married quarters is a matter for the local authorities concerned. Soldiers have an equal claim on local authority houses with other members of the community in the same income group.
At present there are 37 overholders in married quarters in the Curragh Training Camp—a decrease of two since this time last year.
Would the Minister not agree that overholders who have given the best years of their lives to the service of their country must have some claim on his time? Does he not feel that since Kildare County Council have shown consideration and set aside houses for overholders and allowed him to nominate the overholders to occupy these houses, some move should be made by the Department at least to match what Kildare County Council are doing for overholders?
I agree that Kildare County Council did set aside eight houses at Newbridge and Suncroft for overholders. We have got to look at the other side as well, the fact that there are 200 serving soldiers seeking living quarters. I am, as it were, on the horns of a dilemma, a desire to help the overholders and the serving soldiers. The Deputy may take it that we will try to help the overholders. We have given them their gratuities in order to help them to change houses, to seek other accommodation. That has happened in a few cases.
I thank the Minister for his courtesy but does he not agree that any move in the housing of overholders has been on the part of Kildare County Council and that nothing comparable has come from the Department? Can he give me some assurance that a move will be made by the Department? It would be matched by the county council.
The problem is a difficult one. On paper, once a man has served his time in the Army he takes equal place with anybody else seeking a house. I will keep the matter in mind.