Dessie Ellis
Question:28 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Defence if he provides any funding to ONET for housing ex-members of the Defence Forces who have become homeless; and if he will provide details of same. [6831/12]
View answerWednesday, 8 February 2012
Questions (28)
Written answers
The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (O.N.E.) is dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces by way of providing accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter and other assistance that may be required. O.N.E. is a limited company with charitable status. O.N.E. has accommodation in Smithfield, Dublin (Brú Na bhFiann with 30 places), Athlone (6 places) and Letterkenny (6 places). Any retired soldier, male or female, may contact the Smithfield centre directly and O.N.E. will assist by directing the person to other facilities within the Health Services, or offer a room if vacant, in Dublin, Athlone or Letterkenny.
My Department provides an annual subvention of €40,000 to O.N.E. is annual subvention is paid in quarterly instalments, subject to the submission by O.N.E of certified accounts. e funding is provided to support the general overheads of the organization and expressly not for the provision of services that are provided to citizens, including members of O.N.E., from other arms of the State. is covers housing, health, social assistance, etc. Dublin City Council continues to support on an ongoing basis the homeless initiative in Smithfield.