asked the Minister for Defence the proposals he has to improve or replace substandard living accommodation at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare.
10.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Accommodation.
9.
asked the Minister for Defence if his Department will make provision to assist Kildare County Council to construct houses for retiring members of the Defence Forces in order to avoid the serious problems encountered by "overholders" in County Kildare.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
Arrangements will be made, as resources permit, for the replacement as soon as possible of all unsuitable married quarters, including those at the Curragh Camp. It is proposed to use the provision for new married quarters in the Defence Estimate for 1982 to meet, among other things, the cost of the planning and initial development of 37 new quarters at the camp. These will be additional to the 130 modern quarters already provided there.
I am aware that, for a very long time, the situation at the camp in regard to overholders has been unsatisfactory despite the action taken by the local authority to rehouse a number of them. It is my intention to use my best efforts to find a solution to this problem.
On the question of the overholders, is it the case that Kildare County Council some time ago indicated to the Department of Defence that they were willing to share the cost of providing extra accommodation? If this is the case, would the Minister take the matter up and see if progress can be made on that?
I am aware of this case. During my time on Kildare County Council, I made a similar suggestion. I am hoping that some type of special scheme as the Deputy has mentioned will be evolved which will be of benefit to the overholders concerned.