Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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1736. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps taken by his Department to help former members of the Defence Forces to avoid becoming homeless (details supplied); the details his Department has of the incidence of homelessness among former members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1849/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The issue of housing and homelessness is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. My Department does not have a housing budget and does not provide homes or accommodation for retired personnel. My Department does not hold details of the incidence of homelessness among former members of the Defence Forces. However, the Department has a service level agreement with the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) and holds regular meetings to discuss issues that affect veterans. 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, average occupancy can range between 25 and 30 persons), Athlone (7 places, presently at full capacity with a waiting list of 5 persons), Letterkenny (7 places, with an average occupancy of 5-7 persons), a drop-in centre in Limerick, and an advice centre in Dundalk.

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 Department of Defence provides financial support by way of an annual subvention of €44,000 to the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.). The funding from my Department is provided to support the general overheads of the organisation 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.