Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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402. To ask the Minister for Defence in view of the fact that those who have served in the Defence Forces at home and in international United Nations service are often likely to suffer family breakdown and homelessness the specific services that are available to homeless former members of the Armed Forces and the outreach services that are available to ensure that those who served this country well are looked after following their return to civilian life. [11789/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The issue of housing and homelessness is a matter in the first instance for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department does not provide homes or accommodation for retired personnel.

My Department does provide an annual subvention of €40,000 to the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (O.N.E.). O.N.E. is dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces by way of providing accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter and other assistance that may be required. O.N.E. is a limited company with charitable status.

O.N.E. has accommodation in Smithfield, Dublin (Brú Na bhFiann with 30 places), Athlone (7 places), Letterkenny (7 places) and a drop- in centre in Limerick. Any retired soldier, male or female, may contact the Smithfield centre directly and O.N.E. will assist by directing the person to other facilities within the Health Services, the local authority services, or offer a room if vacant, in Dublin, Athlone or Letterkenny.

The funding from my Department is provided to support the general overheads of the organization and expressly not for the provision of services that are provided to citizens, including members of O.N.E., from other arms of the State. This covers housing, health, social assistance, etc. Dublin City Council continues to support, on an ongoing basis, the O.N.E. homeless initiative in Smithfield.

Additionally, Defence Forces personnel transitioning to civilian life have the option of attending a pre-retirement course. As part of the pre-retirement course personnel receive advice and guidance on all aspects of retirement including changes and relationships, financial matters, health and time management. They also receive information about how others have dealt successfully with these life changes. This is intended to enable them to anticipate the changes in their own lives and to ease the transition to civilian life.