Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of homeless ex-service men and women who have been provided with accommodation through ONET in each of the past five years. [27722/07]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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ONET (Óglaigh Náisúinta Na hÉireann Teoranta) is a limited company with charitable status that is dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Services. ONET is recognised by the Minister of Defence and the Military Authorities in Ireland as the official representative of such personnel.

As an organization, ONET is wholly independent of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Consequently, I am not in a position to answer the Deputy's question directly. However, I have forwarded the question to ONET with a request that a response be provided directly to the Deputy.

I fully support the excellent work of ONET. In this regard, I would point out that a commitment to provide annual subventions to support and encourage the excellent work of the officially recognised veterans groups, ONET and IUNVA, is included in the agreed Programme for Government.