Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
38. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there has been an increase in Defence Force Veterans becoming homeless; what is the increases; the reason for the increase; the solutions that are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22720/23]
View answerNeither the Defence Forces nor my Department monitor the incidence of homelessness amongst former members of the Defence Forces.
My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations which represent all former personnel of the Defence Forces, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My officials engage on an ongoing basis with these associations. As part of the Service Level Agreements in place with my Department, an annual grant of €130,000 is paid to ONE and a grant of €30,000 is paid to IUNVA. As a further means of assistance, my Department has secured a total of €700,000 from the Dormant Accounts Fund since 2021 in order to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects.
Over the past number of years the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces have assisted ONE in its plans to establish a network of Veterans Support Centres (VSCs) around the country. ONE has established a total of 15 VSCs to date. The VSCs are available to ALL veterans to seek support and advice, not just to ONE members. In line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government, my Department continues to facilitate, where possible, the establishment of further VSCs around the country.
Additionally, ONE currently provides board and lodgings for 51 retired members of the Defence Forces in its four residential homes in Brú na bhFiann, Smithfield, Dublin, Beechwood House, Letterkenny, Custume House, Athlone, and Brú na Farraige, Cobh, Co. Cork, the latter of which was opened in October 2021 and was part-funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund. Development of ONE’s fifth home in St Luke’s, Cork City is currently in progress, and will also draw on Dormant Accounts funding.
IUNVA operates 8 drop-in centres at its 22 posts around the country and accommodates 4 retired members of the Defence Forces in its residence in the Curragh Camp. IUNVA is currently in the process of developing a drop-in centre and residential home for a further 4 veterans of the Defence Forces in Cavan with assistance from the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Veterans can also apply through the Defence Forces Benevolent Fund if in need of financial support. The Fund provides support to veterans of the Defence Forces and their families who experience periods of financial difficulty. It operates in a confidential and supportive manner to provide much-needed support to military veterans and their dependents, regardless of rank or length of service, and who are resident in the State and overseas. This support is provided on a case-by-case basis and it is organised and distributed through committees of serving military personnel, in each of the Formations and Services.
