Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2023
66. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of family quarters and homes managed by his Department; the number that are currently unoccupied; if there are plans to bring them back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5129/23]
View answerI am advised by the military authority that there are a total of one hundred and thirty-four (134) occupied and unoccupied married quarters under the stewardship of my Department. The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy.
The Deputy will be aware that it is a long-standing policy that long term residential married quarters are no longer provided. There is no immediate plan to reverse this long-standing policy, which was introduced in the early 1990’s and was implemented on a gradual basis in recognition of the sensitivities involved for military personnel and their families.
The majority of these buildings are within military installations where military activities are continuously taking place. The future use of such buildings facilities is primarily a matter for the Defence Forces to consider in the context of their operational and training requirements. It should be noted however that the majority of unoccupied married quarters are not suitable for occupancy for a number of reasons.
|
Occupied Married Quarters |
Unoccupied Married Quarters |
Occupied and Unoccupied |
||||
|
Location |
Military |
Overholders |
Totals |
Location |
Total |
Total |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Cork |
10 |
10 |
|
Dublin |
6 |
14 |
20 |
Dublin |
5 |
25 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
27 |
37 |
Kildare |
62 |
99 |
|
Total |
16 |
41 |
57 |
Total |
77 |
134 |
