Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
53 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which Army overholders’ housing requirements have been met or are likely to be met in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9499/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersonnel, on being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force, are obliged to vacate married quarters within a short period of the dates of their discharge. The provision of housing is primarily a matter for the local authorities and married military personnel have an equal claim on such housing as other members of the community in the same income category.
The individuals overholding 54 married quarters were written to in August 2002 and requested to vacate the properties. To date five of the quarters have been vacated and two others have been purchased by the occupants. A further nine of the properties have been offered for sale and a number of those sales are likely to be finalised in the near future.
My Department is continuing to examine all options, including affordable housing and voluntary and co-operative housing schemes, in respect of the re-housing of those overholders who would in the normal way be eligible for local authority housing. The Department will remain in contact with the overholders pending resolution of the issue.
