Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to review Defence Forces regulations with regard to the governance and management of married quarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21179/17]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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270. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of families which are in residence in married quarters in the Curragh camp; the number of these families which have an eviction order pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21180/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.

Since 1997 the Department’s policy has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel as they are no longer required for the modern soldier. In this context, there are no plans to review Defence Force Regulations with regards to the governance and management of married quarters.

Personnel who leave the Defence Forces or who vacate a married quarter property are required to return vacant possession of that property.

Those who fail to return vacant possession of such properties are termed “overholders” and the Department seeks to recover possession of the property. Where married quarter properties are located outside the barracks they may be offered for sale to the occupant and many have been disposed of in this manner. The majority of properties being overheld at this point are located within barracks and it is not possible to offer these for sale.

The Department does not have a role in the provision of housing accommodation for the general public and the ongoing illegal occupation of these properties cannot be supported. It is always preferable not to have to use legal means to obtain vacant possession and each case of overholding is dealt with on an individual basis. My officials have met with a number of overholders to discuss and examine what assistance can be provided to bring about a resolution.

However, securing alternative housing is a matter for the individuals concerned. In certain cases individuals may qualify for social housing or some level of housing assistance. When requested to do so the Department provides whatever documentation it can to support such applications.

The Department’s engagement with overholders is ongoing. It is hoped that the discussions will provide an opportunity for both sides to work together in order to bring about a resolution to the problem.

Currently there are twenty six (26) overholders in or near the Curragh Camp. Of this group, the Department has issued “Notices to Quit” in twelve cases and court proceedings seeking vacant possession were commenced in two of these cases. I am aware of a small number of overholders who are particularly vulnerable and the deputy can be assured that they will be treated in an appropriately sensitive manner.

There are also thirteen (13) serving personnel currently residing in married quarters in the Curragh Camp.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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271. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there are residents of the Curragh camp who are in receipt of a lifetime lease agreement; the number of these agreements in existence; when these agreements were put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21181/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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There is one lifetime lease in place. It is in relation to a married quarter property outside the Curragh Camp on Curragh brownlands. The lease was signed 1 November 2010.

Where married quarter properties are located outside barracks they are offered for sale to the occupant and many have been disposed of in this manner. In the case of this particular property, as it is one of only two of its kind in the State and is of historic and architectural interest, it is being retained by the Department.