Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2008
134 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence the amount of subvention provided in 2007 to support and encourage the work of the officially recognised veterans groups (details supplied) and the provision made in 2008. [6340/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra165 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Defence the progress his Department is making in implementing the commitment in the programme for Government to provide annual subventions to support and encourage the excellent work of the officially recognised veterans groups ONET and IUNVA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6371/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 165 together.
The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women, or Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann Teoranta (ONET) has enjoyed the long-standing official recognition of my Department and the Defence Forces. ONET is dedicated to looking after the welfare of all ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces. A main objective of ONET is to ensure the welfare of ex-servicemen and women by way of providing accommodation to homeless members in need of such domestic accommodation and providing other assistance that may be required by way of advising referrals to the relevant agencies.
The Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) was formed in 1990. Membership is available to those, both serving and retired, who have successfully completed a tour of duty with a UN Force or Organisation. Both associations are financed primarily through membership fees, voluntary contributions and fundraising.
In October 2006, in recognition of the valuable work of ONET and IUNVA and to mark almost 50 years of Defence Forces involvement in international peacekeeping with the United Nations, I was pleased to support the work of both organisations in the form of a once off grant of €50,000 to each from my Department.
The Agreed Programme for Government June 2007 commits to the provision of annual subventions to ONET and IUNVA. I am advised that this can best be achieved through the payment of an annual grant-in-aid to both of these voluntary organisations. Officials from my Department are currently in discussions with both organisations with regard to the arrangements for the payment of these grants-in-aid.
