James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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270. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which his Department supports the work of an organisation (details supplied) which protects the welfare of ex-servicemen and women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31804/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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My Department recognises the valued public service given by former servicemen and women of the Defence Forces to the State.

The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) is an organisation dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces. It provides accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter as well as other assistance and advice as required. O.N.E. has accommodation in Smithfield, Dublin (Brú na bhFiann with 30 places), Athlone (7 places) and Letterkenny (7 places), a drop-in centre in Limerick and an advice centre in Dundalk.

O.N.E. has enjoyed the long standing official recognition of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Officials from my Department hold regular meetings with O.N.E., and the other recognised veterans’ organisations, at which issues of concern to their members are discussed. As part of that process the Department has entered into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with O.N.E.Under the terms of the SLA, and as part of the supports currently offered to veterans, my Department provides financial support by way of an annual subvention to O.N.E. to support and encourage its work. This subvention is currently €44,000 per annum. The funding provided to O.N.E. by the Department of Defence is to support the general overheads of the organisation. It is not for the provision of services that are provided to citizens, including members of O.N.E., from other arms of the State such as housing, health, social assistance, etc. Dublin City Council continues to support, on an ongoing basis, the O.N.E. homeless initiative in Smithfield.

I have committed to meeting the recognised veterans associations, including O.N.E., on an annual basis and I provide support by attendance at specific events whenever I can. Only last Wednesday, 28 June 2017, I had pleasure in attending the launch of O.N.E.’s annual Fuchsia fundraising appeal.

An annual veterans day, organised by the Defence Forces, takes place, usually in September, which provides an opportunity for veterans to meet with their comrades. In addition, local barracks organise monthly events – Veterans Friday – which provide social occasions where veterans can meet up with both serving and retired colleagues. Discussions are ongoing with O.N.E. regarding possible locations for additional Veterans Support Centres throughout the country.

The Defence Organisation and I are committed to continued engagement with O.N.E. into the future.