Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the past, military regulations provided that married quarters could be allocated to serving personnel upon request and subject to availability. However, this no longer applies and the Department's long-standing policy is to withdraw from the provision of such quarters.

Personnel who leave the Defence Forces or who vacate a property which had been assigned to them are required under regulations to return vacant possession of that property. It must be noted that the majority of those to whom such property was allocated have observed this requirement. Where the property is not vacated, those remaining in the property, be they the former serving member or the spouse and children of the former serving member, are classed as overholding.

Overholding continues to be an issue within the Curragh Camp with the continued unauthorised occupation of 23 houses by civilians. The Department will continue to seek to regularise this matter up to, and including, the recovery of vacant possession. In deciding on any course of action, the Department always takes into account the particularities of each individual case, such as if the occupier is elderly and the circumstances in which they became overholders.

The Department assists in whatever way it can in order to resolve cases of overholding without recourse to legal action. While securing alternative housing is a matter for the individuals concerned, when requested to do so, my officials provide whatever assistance possible to support such applications. As I have stated previously, each case of overholding is dealt with on an individual basis. However, it is important to remember the Department does not have a role in the provision of housing accommodation for civilians.

In general, former married quarter properties which have been vacated have been found to be in extremely poor condition. Many of these properties fell far short of what is required for family accommodation. They would require significant investment to bring them up to a habitable standard and the more derelict ones have had to be demolished.

When maintenance issues are brought to the attention of the Department concerning properties occupied by overholders, they are assessed by a competent person. Any matters of a health and safety concern are dealt with in collaboration with the occupants. All other matters are considered in the context of the status of the occupants as overholders.

The situation regarding the occupation of Department of Defence property by civilians is under review and it is hoped this will be concluded in the near future.

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