asked the Minister for Defence when urgently needed married quarters for Army personnel and their families will be provided in Dublin; the number of applicants for such quarters in Dublin; when their applications will succeed; if he will furnish details as to the number, type and location of proposed new married quarters in Dublin; and what steps will be taken as a matter of urgency to bring all married quarters up to acceptable modern standards.
Written Answers. - Army Married Quarters.
89.
There are no immediate plans for the provision of further new married quarters in Dublin for Army personnel. As was indicated in a reply to the Deputy on 29th November, 1967, the provision of houses for soldiers is primarily a matter for local authorities and a soldier has an equal claim on local authority houses with any member of the community in the same income group. The policy of my Department is to supplement the efforts of local authorities where the need is greatest. The needs of Dublin will receive full consideration in the light of the circumstances obtaining when decisions are being taken in relation to the location of further housing schemes.
The number of applicants on the waiting list for married quarters in Dublin is 48 and it is not possible to say when their applications will succeed.
In regard to "old type" quarters, a programme of modernisation has been in progress at the Curragh Training Camp for a number of years and when it is completed, consideration will be given to the modernisation of such quarters in Dublin.