asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of an article (details supplied) in a Sunday newspaper concerning the condition of married quarters at the Curragh military camp; if the position as described is correct, and if so, the steps he intends to take to remedy the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Curragh Camp Married Quarters.
22.
I am so aware. It is my intention that all unsuitable married quarters will be replaced by modern housing as part of the programme for improving conditions for serving soldiers. In the case of the Curragh Camp 50 modern married quarters were completed at Orchard Park a few years ago and a further 50 new dwellings nearby will be completed soon.
I intend to have a further substantial number of new married quarters provided at the Curragh as soon as possible.
Can the Minister give any idea what he means by "as soon as possible"? As he is aware, there is an urgent need for replacement.
The Deputy is aware that the 50 dwellings are nearing completion. His guess is as good as mine as to when they will be completed, but it will be a matter of weeks only before they will be ready for occupation. I intend to press ahead with further housing at the Curragh, possibly as many as 100. As I have stated, it is my intention as quickly as possible to replace all unsuitable married quarters in barracks up and down the country. I am not satisfied with them.
With the exception of the houses built at the Curragh by the previous Government and the new ones coming on stream, all the married quarters for serving soldiers in the Curragh are unsatisfactory.
A substantial number of married quarters still being occupied could not be deemed to be suitable and it is my intention to close them as quickly as possible. I have given a direction that where the occupants of married quarters are transferred to new houses, the quarters vacated will not be relet. One of the problems in the past has been that pressure has been brought to bear, particularly by young married soldiers, to allow them to occupy such married quarters. I would remind the House that the local authorities have as much responsibility for the housing of members of the Permanent Defence Forces as they have for other worthy applicants.
I would appeal to all local authorities to consider applications from soldiers as fairly as applications from other members of the community. Local authorities should not discriminate against members of the Permanent Defence Force. It is regrettable and unforgivable that an attitude of discrimination should continue to obtain in some local authorities.
Since the question refers to County Kildare, I wish to refute any suggestion——
Has the Deputy a question?
Is the Minister aware that it is not open to the local authority to inspect or condemn Army married quarters?
The Deputy is making an excuse for local authorities who are engaging in the indefensible practice of discrimination.
Question No. 23.
In every scheme adjacent to the Curragh, Kildare County Council made houses available for soldiers. We have been pressing the Department during the terms of office of various Ministers to do something about the situation but so far we have met with failure.
Is the Minister aware that when a newspaper reporter visited the Curragh recently photographs were allowed and may I take it that this is a change in the attitude of the Department indicating that they are now allowing photographs to be taken at military barracks?
That matter is the subject of a military investigation.
Is the Minister aware——
I have called the next question.
——that it is not open to local authorities to inspect married quarters in regard to rehousing?
The Deputy has asked that question already.
But the Minister did not answer.
Local authorities are aware of their responsibility in the matter.
Will they be allowed to inspect those married quarters and, if appropriate, to condemn them?