Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Both the Minister of State and the former Minister, Deputy Coveney, previously acknowledged in the Chamber that there are a number of vulnerable residents in accommodation in the Curragh Camp. The truth of the matter is that the Department is managing these houses into decline. There are some difficult circumstances prevailing to which the Department is turning a blind eye. I accept the Department is not responsible for the supply of housing. However, there needs to be some joined-up thinking in this case. We have a housing crisis. Accordingly, accommodation alternatives outside of the camp for the people in question are not an option.

The Minister of State claimed it will cost a fortune to do up these houses. I beg to differ. Of course, it will cost money to make them habitable again. However, with a bit of joined-up thinking, does the Minister of State believe that should be the way for the State to go? Is he not concerned that some elderly people in bad housing in the camp may have a bad experience which will reflect poorly on the Department of Defence?

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