Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

While I do not have the figure to hand on income supplement, I can have my officials come back to Deputy Calleary on that. I believe the timeline will be the first half of next year, although I do not have a specific date. In response to Deputy O'Brien, cases will be dealt with on an individual basis because everyone's needs will be different.

Deputy McGrath asked why Clonmel barracks was chosen. Different Defence Forces barracks have totally different operational duties, for example, the Curragh camp is more of a training camp than a barracks. Within the Defence Forces, there were specific reasons different barracks were closed.

I want to highlight a particular point. Everybody will be accommodated in so far as possible. If a person from Clonmel wants to go to the barracks in Kilkenny because of his or her personal circumstances, or if he or she wants to go to Limerick or Athlone, he or she will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. I can assure the House that no one will be left out in the cold.

I understand this can be a sensitive time for members of the Defence Forces and, more importantly, for their families. It puts an extra strain on the families. We are in a space here where we must look after the professionalism of the Defence Forces which we want to keep to a maximum. It is important to us that we do this on a professional basis, and I think that we have.

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