Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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67. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the contact or assistance planned by his Department to the July fuchsia appeal operated by an organisation (details supplied) to address homelessness among former members of the Defence Forces. [32350/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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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. Under the terms of a Service Level Agreement with O.N.E., and as part of the supports currently offered to veterans, my Department provides an annual subvention, currently €44,000, to support the general overheads of the organisation.

I provide support by attendance at specific events whenever I can. I had pleasure in attending the launch of O.N.E.’s annual Fuchsia fundraising appeal on Wednesday 28^thJune 2017. The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, launched the appeal which will continue throughout the month of July. I am advised that Defence Forces units and installations throughout the country undertake fundraising in support of the work of O.N.E. on behalf of veterans. The military authorities encourage such fundraising as an illustration of the solidarity and bonds that exists between veterans and serving personnel.

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