Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
473. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the reason for not establishing the office of veterans’ affairs as previously committed to; and his plans for this office and veterans' welfare. [13322/21]
View answerMy Department formally recognises two veterans’ organisations as representing all former personnel, namely, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) and Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel. Service Level Agreements (SLAs) have been agreed with these organisations, which set out the services and financial supports that the Department provides.
In recent years both associations have received increases to their grant allocations. The programme for Government also contains a commitment to further develop the supports to veterans. Furthermore, my Department has secured funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2020 to assist them with specific special projects and has also provided further supports in developing the network of centres.
I am aware that the associations have proposed a range of further supports that would be available to former members of the Defence Forces. My Department has engaged with them on exploring further these proposals.
