asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that military service pensions are withheld from certain ex-soldiers because of the fact that they are classed as overholders in Dublin married quarters, i.e. they have not vacated quarters on completion of their service; and that many such men and families are compelled to remain in such quarters, because of the extreme difficulty of obtaining other housing accommodation in Dublin city or county; and if, in the light of this, he will have the regulation which deprives these men of their pension rights amended so that they will receive the amounts to which their service entitles them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ex-Soldiers' Pension Rights.
57.
All pensions, gratuities or moneys due to ex-soldiers are withheld to cover the daily charge for overholding married quarters as well as any amount which may be due to public funds for loss, damage or deficiencies in the quarters or furniture. The amount of the latter cannot be determined until the quarters are vacated and accordingly any money due cannot be paid while the irregular occupation continues.
The provision of alternative accommodation is a matter for the overholders but I am aware that Dublin Corporation is prepared to provide accommodation for those of them whose number in family corresponds with the category receiving attention at any given time.
I am not prepared to amend the regulations as suggested by the Deputy.
Is it not true that these people who are described as overholders remain in these married quarters, not by any wish of their own, but because of the fact that they are unable to obtain alternative accommodation? They are not there by wilful intent on their part to cause difficulties for the authorities, but because they cannot get houses. In the light of that fact, will the Minister not reconsider the matter? Is it not a manifest injustice to these people that their pensions should be withheld in their entirety——
The Deputy is not asking a question. He is making a speech.
——because they cannot get alternative accommodation? Surely that is unjust.
Of 22 overholders in Dublin, we have information from the Corporation about 16. Five refused houses offered in the areas for which they applied. Eleven were offered accommodation in localities other than those for which they applied. Most of them were given two other alternatives but did not avail of the offers.