Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Defence the current position in regard to army overholders with particular reference to meeting their housing requirements via local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31716/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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At present there are 49 overholders living in Defence Forces married quarters at various locations. Personnel are obliged, under Defence Force Regulations, to vacate married quarters within a specified period of being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force. The securing of alternative housing is a matter for the individuals concerned in the first instance. If personnel are not in a position to secure housing in their own right they should make application to their local authority outlining their requirements. My Department is available to assist whenever possible in ensuring that the authorities are aware of the requirements of individuals when vacating military quarters, if required to do so.

The discontinuance of married quarters, including cases of overholding, in an orderly and managed way continues to be the policy of my Department. The implementation of that policy will, over time, require overholders to vacate the properties now being occupied by them.