Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Accommodation.

Jack Wall

Question:

132 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the progress which has been made in his Department's discussions with Kildare County Council with a view to resolving the accommodation difficulties of overholders in living accommodation in the Curragh Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4672/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

172 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the housing status of Army overholders; the steps he has taken unilaterally or in consultation with his colleague the Minister for Environment and Local Government to ensure such families are adequately housed without delay; if no such family will be asked to vacate their present accommodation until adequate permanent housing has been provided for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5009/03]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 172 together.

Personnel on being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force are obliged to vacate married quarters within a short period of the dates of their discharge. There are, however, more than 50 married quarters currently being overheld by former members of the PDF or their families. The provision of housing is primarily a matter for the local authorities and married military personnel have an equal claim on such housing to other members of the community in the same income category.

My Department is continuing to examine all options, including affordable housing and voluntary and co-operative housing schemes, in relation to the re-housing of those overholders who would in the normal way be eligible for local authority housing. Co-operative schemes are financed under the terms of the capital loan and subsidy scheme operated by the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the local authorities.

Meetings have been held between officials of the Department and the overholders as well as with officials of Kildare County Council. In cases where houses have been offered for sale to overholders, the Department has requested the co-operation of Kildare County Council in ensuring that mortgages are made available to eligible applicants. The Department will be in further contact with the overholders in due course.

Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 114.