Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 November 2013
3. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence his long-term plan for accommodation in the Curragh camp; if he intends to have the homes of all of the ex-servicemen and their families vacated; the timeframe for the same; and the alternative affordable accommodation that is being offered to families and persons being requested to leave. [46845/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past three years the Department of Defence has been sending out letters to retired soldiers still living in Army residences demanding that they vacate the premises. Some of the residents have been in a position to leave and have done so, while others find themselves in a situation in which they have nowhere else to go and cannot afford private rented accommodation but do not qualify for council houses as they are deemed to be housed and are in receipt of an Army pension. Some of the residents pay between €200 and €500 per month in rent as well as the usual utilities.
In February 1997 the then Minister for Defence set out policy on married quarters on the basis that they were largely an anachronism and that they should be discontinued in a managed and orderly way. Since then my Department has discontinued the practice of providing such accommodation. In addition, given the age of the housing stock, it has been found that over time the properties require a significant and disproportionate investment in order to ensure compliance with regulations regarding rental properties. In recent years much of the stock has become unsuitable for habitation and has had to be taken out of use. Consequently, there has been a sharp decline in the number of married quarters in use, with only 25 serving personnel currently occupying married quarters in the Curragh.
Where properties are located outside barracks, they are made available for purchase by tenants. For security reasons, properties located within barracks cannot be sold and are removed from the stock of available housing when they become vacant. There are no habitable residential properties - former married quarters - vacant in the Curragh camp. From time to time the overall stock of housing within the camp is reviewed and vacant uninhabitable properties are demolished where it is found to be necessary due to health and safety concerns, to make way for other facilities or to improve the layout of the camp generally.
Personnel are obliged, under Defence Forces regulations, to vacate married quarters within a specified period of being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force. The term "overholder" is used to describe former members of the Defence Forces and their families who have refused to leave married quarters within 21 days of leaving the Defence Forces.
My Department is, in accordance with normal procedure, seeking vacant possession of overheld married quarters. The situation of overholders continuing to occupy married quarters is not sustainable. As the Department is no longer in a position to subsidise housing for those who are not entitled to it, the Department has had to take necessary action. Each overholder is being dealt with on an individual basis.
The issue of overholders is being addressed in a number of ways. With the assistance of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, formal procedures have been put in place to obtain vacant possession of the properties. In the first instance, overholders of married quarters are reminded of their responsibilities to vacate properties under Defence Force regulations and are asked to vacate. Where the properties are not vacated, legal proceedings are initiated to obtain vacant possession of the properties. It is not possible to give a definitive timeframe for the procedure as the process is different for each individual case.
This treatment of families who gave loyal service to the State for many years is hardly fitting or fair. There is a serious level of inconsistency in regard to how the Department is dealing with the issue, with some people receiving letters and others not. I presume some properties were deemed more unsuitable than others. There is serious concern about this issue and people are very worried. Many of them have nowhere else to go. It seems callous that there would not be some investment made on the part of the State to sort out the problems with their houses. These people have lived in these houses for most of their lives and want to stay in them. I do not understand why the Department cannot arrive at a better arrangement to allow people live where they want to live.
In the context of their serving in the Defence Forces, those provided with accommodation knew that upon their ceasing to serve, the accommodation had to be vacated. However, they did not vacate it. For many years, this matter has been dealt with as carefully and sensitively as possible.
The Department does not have a role in the provision of housing accommodation for the general public and the securing of alternative housing for the individuals concerned in the first instance. If individuals are not in a position to secure housing in their own right, it may be the case that they qualify for social housing or for some level of housing. In that context, assistance can be, and has been, provided. Officials in my Department have met with Kildare County Council officials regarding overholders and they are aware of the situation and will advise overholders of procedures and requirements when making applications for social housing.
In so far as the Deputy might suggest that individuals have been put under any unfair pressure, these individuals are aware of their circumstances and obligations in this area. There are currently 29 married quarters being occupied by overholders in the Curragh camp and a further 14 overholders in the Dublin area. The duration of overholding ranges from between 44 years to six weeks.
The Minister says the Department of Defence does not have an obligation to the general public to provide housing and I understand that. However, these people have worked for the Defence Forces for much of their lives and there is a duty owed to them. The Minister has said alternatives are being offered to them at local level, but some of the people to whom we have spoken say they have nowhere to go and that they cannot afford what is being offered. Is it possible the State will make these people homeless? Will the Minister affirm there will be alternative, affordable accommodation available to them and that if they cannot afford it, the State will facilitate an arrangement?
The Deputy always chooses to be selective in what he says and his presentation on this issue is consistent with that approach. He chooses to ignore entirely that each individual provided with such accommodation knew that on completion of his or her service with the Defence Forces, they were obliged to vacate the premises provided. Is the Deputy suggesting that the State should provide permanent housing for the families of every member of the Defence Forces in which they can remain for the rest of their lives, even after they have completed their service? If that is what he is saying, perhaps he will suggest how that could be financed and how the matter should be approached.
As I have already said, in so far as families have difficulties, arrangements are in place whereby families can engage with Kildare County Council if they are not in a financial position to get alternative housing. The length of time during which families or individuals have been allowed to reside in residential premises as overholders is extraordinary and indicates the extent to which the Defence Forces and the Department have tried to be as careful as possible to cause as little upset as possible.
