Vol. 434 No. 10
33 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which Army living quarters are unoccupied throughout the country; the proposals, if any, he has for the future use of such premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
All suitable married quarters are at present being occupied.
A board was established by the military authorities to examine the whole question of married quarters in the Defence Forces, including the condition and grading of such quarters and the position as regards obsolete accommodation. Included in the board's remit was the question of measures to encourage a higher degree of home ownership by members of the Defence Forces and also how local authorities could meet the housing needs of military personnel in the context of the plan for social housing and the public capital programme. Married Army personnel have an equal claim on local authority housing with other members of the community.
A considerable number of quarters have been sold to their occupants in recent years on very favourable terms and consideration is being given to the sale of additional quarters.
