asked the Minister for Defence the location of sub-standard married quarters for Army personnel; the plans and proposals that he has to upgrade these quarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Married Quarters.
10.
There are 380 old type married quarters still occupied. The location of these quarters is set out in a schedule which will be included in the Official Report.
As all the quarters in question were built more than 60 years ago, it has been the practice in recent years when such quarters become vacant not to re-allocate any of them which are in poor condition. In this regard the provision of housing is primarily a matter for the local authorities and married soldiers have an equal claim on such housing with other members of the community in the same category.
The Deputy will no doubt be aware of the recent extension to the occupants of married soldiers quarters of the £5,000 grant scheme introduced last year for local authority tenants and tenant purchasers who re-house themselves in the private sector.
Following is the schedule:
Schedule.
Location of old type married soldiers quarters.
|
Location |
Number |
|
Athlone |
5 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin |
17 |
|
Coastguard Station, Crosshaven, County Cork |
6 |
|
Collins Barracks, Cork |
5 |
|
Curragh Camp, County Kildare |
278 |
|
Fort Camden, County Cork |
6 |
|
McGee Barracks, Kildare |
26 |
|
Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, County Cork |
1 |
|
Naval Base, Haulbowline, County Cork |
17 |
|
Rockbrae House, Bray, County Wicklow |
1 |
|
Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick |
14 |
|
Spike Island |
3 |
|
Wexford Barracks |
1 |
|
Total |
380 |
Has the Minister any plan to provide new married quarters at any location?
I have not here details of any plans for the provision of new married quarters. I regard the housing of soldiers to be a matter primarily for local authorities. Soldiers should be dealt with in this respect as is any other citizen. However, I have been pursuing plans which might result in surplus Army land being made available in a way that would assist Defence Force members to house themselves. Those plans have not yet come to fruition, but I hope to make progress in that regard which would be of significant benefit to those concerned.
Has the Minister dropped plans for providing married quarters at Collins Barracks in Cork and can he give any indication of what is the position of those who retire from the Army having lived in married quarters during all their years of service?
The position in respect of retired Army personnel is difficult. That is one of the reasons why it is being good policy to move away from the married quarters concept as such. The Deputy will be aware that retired Army personnel are required to vacate Army houses. Consequently, they must seek accommodation elsewhere but in some areas they experience difficulty in finding alternative accommodation because of the failure of local authorities to make provision for them. This is prejudicial so far as these personnel are concerned in that they become over-holders on the Army premises and suffer by way of the witholding of pension and-or gratuities. That is an unsatisfactory state of affairs.
Has the Minister any plan in respect of the provision of married quarters at Collins Barracks, Cork?
I have no information here about that.