Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
227. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the funding allocated to veterans' associations in the years 2020 to date; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39280/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, 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 Associations and with the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO), and has entered into Service Level Agreements with ONE and IUNVA under which an annual grant is paid to both organisations in order to assist with their administrative overheads. As a further means of assistance, since 2021 my Department has also secured total funding of €500,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects, and has applied for a further €200,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2024.
Details of total financial supports provided to the relevant Veterans Associations in the period 2020 to 2022, and funds currently allocated for 2023, including funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund, are set out below.
|
Year |
ONE |
IUNVA |
|
2020 |
€100,000 |
€11,000 |
|
2021 |
€310,000 |
€74,773 |
|
2022 |
€245,365 |
€30,000 |
|
2023* |
€294,635 |
€176,227 |
*Grants totalling €97,500 and €30,000 have been paid to ONE and IUNVA respectively to date in 2023. The rest of the allocations have not been paid to date.
Additionally, in line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government to "support the establishment of centres for members of the Defence Forces", my Department continues to facilitate, where possible, the establishment of further ONE Veterans Support Centres and INUVA Posts around the country.
