Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
62. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of housing units available within the Defence Forces; the capacity of the existing housing quarters; how many are unoccupied; how many are deemed unsuitable; how many will be renovated in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34638/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Permanent Defence Force provides a significant level of Single Living Accommodation for serving personnel, where this accommodation is required by personnel for training and operational duties. There are in excess of 4,500 places currently within all the military installations.
In addition I am advised that there are in total some 134 dwellings within the Defence Forces portfolio. As the management of same is carried out by the local military authorities, I will forward on further details relating to levels of occupancy when available. The Deputy may also wish to note that I have instructed the Defence Forces to carry out an assessment of the vacant housing stock to ascertain their suitability to a return to modern single living in accommodation usage for serving personnel. I am advised that my officials together with the Defence Forces are currently developing proposals to inform the procurement process for same. Accordingly , I am not currently in a position to state when such premises, if found suitable, will be available.
