Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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354. To ask the Minister for Defence if consideration will be given to the use of a property (details supplied) in County Kerry to provide accommodation for persons who are homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1092/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I remain fully committed to making Defence resources available to provide assistance where possible to support the implementation of the Strategy on Homelessness. My Department recently made available to Dublin City Council 25 bed places in St Bricin’s military installation in Dublin as emergency accommodation for the homeless. The Department continues to co-operate in whatever way it can with any local authority in helping to assist with and alleviate the current homeless situation.

The property in question is within an operational barracks which is used extensively for both Operations and Training by the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces. No formal approach has been made to the Department on the use of the described building as accommodation for persons who are homeless. The Defence Forces have indicated that the building requested may not be suitable for overnight accommodation in its current state. However, if the Department of Defence receive a formal request for accommodation for persons who are homeless, the request will of course be considered.