Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014
191. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the help and support available for veterans of the Irish Defence Forces; his plans to set up a dedicated section in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11432/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence provides annual subventions to support and encourage the two officially recognised veteran groups, the Organisation of National ex-Servicemen (O.N.E.) and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). O.N.E. receives a subvention of €40,000 per annum and IUNVA receives a subvention of €10,000 per annum from my Department. The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (O.N.E.), which has enjoyed the long standing official recognition of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, is an organisation dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces by way of providing accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter and other assistance that may be required. O.N.E. is a limited company with charitable status.
The funding provided to O.N.E. by the Department of Defence is to support the general overheads of the organisation and expressly not for the provision of services that are provided to citizens, including members of O.N.E., from other arms of the State. This covers housing, health, social assistance, etc.
The Department of Defence also provides annual funding to a second officially recognised veterans association, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). Membership of IUNVA, which was formed in 1990, is open to any person, serving or retired, who has successfully completed a tour of duty with a UN Force or Organisation.
Officials from the Department of Defence hold regular meetings with both organisations at which issues of concern are discussed. As part of that process the Department has entered into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with O.N.E. and IUNVA. Under the terms of the SLA contact numbers have been provided for areas within the Defence Forces and the Department that deal with issues that are relevant to veterans of the Defence Forces. The contact numbers provided deal with Medals, Service Matters, Medical Files, Pensions and Disability Pensions. I am satisfied that this current arrangement is working well and in this regard I do not believe it is necessary to set up a dedicated section for such matters.
