Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of standard, substandard and emergency accommodation units and rooms for officers by post and barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13512/08]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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In referring to "standards" as they apply to living in accommodation there are two separate aspects which must be addressed i.e. Building Standards and Accommodation Standards. In relation to Building Standards, all accommodation provided to Officers of the Defence Forces adhere to National Building Standards and the appropriate Health and Safety Standards. In relation to "Accommodation Standards", all accommodation provided is measured against standards established by the Defence Forces in 1992, in the absence of any other national standard. The main criteria used for setting and measuring standards is the floor area of the accommodation. The "standard" is currently set at 35sq metres for Senior Officers and 20sq metres for Junior Officers.

It was not possible to compile details of the accommodation by post and barracks within the time available. However overall numbers, as of late 2006, in the various categories of accommodation are shown in tabular format in the following table which I propose to circulate with the Official Report. This table indicates that 447 officers were availing of accommodation, 89 in "standard" 356 in "substandard" and 2 in emergency/transit. In addition 60 "standard" 95 "sub-standard" and 67 transit/emergency units were available and unoccupied. The Deputy should note that no charge is made for occupancy of accommodation other than standard accommodation. The charge for officer accommodation ranges from € 24.35 to € 40.20 per month for standard accommodation.

Until recently there were no recognised National Standards for any living in accommodation. In August 2007 the Health Information and Quality Authority published Draft National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings, a consultation document proposing accommodation standards. This document outlines standards in relation to all aspects of accommodation including floor area, heating, ventilation, furniture, electrical sockets, laundry facilities and toilet and washing facilities. My Department is considering these new standards with a view to establishing a "desirable standard" to be applied across the Defence Forces which will ensure that all accommodation provided aspires to that similar to the civilian community generally.

A detailed survey of living in accommodation across the Defence Forces is currently under way and is expected to be completed by mid-May. The application of the new "desirable" standard will see a re-classification of a significant number of existing sub-standard units. In addition the new standard will set the benchmark for all refurbishment of existing and provision of new living in accommodation.