Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022
108. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Defence if funding has been provided to organisations working with former Defence Forces and ex-service personnel; if so, the way the funding is being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3794/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department formally recognises two Veterans Associations which represent all former personnel. They are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA).
My Department engages on an ongoing basis with these veterans’ organisations and has entered into Service Level Agreements with them. An annual grant is paid to both ONE and IUNVA to assist in their overheads. ONE is currently paid an annual grant of €100,000 and IUNVA is paid an annual grant of €11,000.
As a further means of assistance, my Department has secured total funding of €500,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects. Almost €300,000 was spent in 2021 while the remainder will be used to fund further special projects in 2022.
On 3rd October 2021, I officially opened ONE's new residential home which can accommodate 5 retired members of the Defence Forces and a Veterans Support Centre in Cobh, Co. Cork. This building was refurbished with funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund.
IUNVA used funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2021 to pay for the development of a new United Nations museum at its headquarters in Mount Temple Road, Dublin 7. Other funding was used to purchase IT equipment for IUNVA posts.
In line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government, my Department continues to facilitate, where possible, the establishment of further ONE Veterans Support Centres (VSCs) around the country. VSCs are available to all veterans to seek support and advice, not just to ONE members.
On 29th November 2021, I officially opened the new building housing the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service and ONE's Veterans Support Centre at Campfield, Collins Barracks, Cork. This project was funded by my Department and replaced a temporary Veterans Support Centre in the Cork Barracks.
