Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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490. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the Army has pulled out of selling a house at a location (details supplied) to the tenant despite having agreed to the sale on three different occasions. [15338/20]

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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492. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the plans of the Army for the 12 houses situated at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 492 together.

I am advised that my Department was not in a position to dispose of the properties referred to because of legal difficulties in relation to the site.

After taking all matters into consideration, and based on the legal advices, my Department had no alternative but to withdraw from the offer of sale.  Those who were offered the opportunity to purchase were informed in writing, through their legal advisers, of the sale withdrawal in November 2018.  As part of this communication, my Department indicated its intention to regularise the current occupancy of those effected.  A draft licence was issued through legal representatives for their agreement.  This matter is ongoing and is the subject of continued legal correspondence.

My Department seeks to continue to regularise Overholding matters without recourse to legal action where possible. The provision of housing for members of the public is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and my Department assists in any way it can in support of such applications for assistance, when requested to do so.

In the circumstances, the Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment further.

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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491. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the Army is refusing to perform vital maintenance works on a property (details supplied) but will not give the tenant permission to perform the works themselves; the reason the Army is falling to keep their properties to acceptable living standard as other landlords are instructed to do; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15339/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Member of the Defence Forces who were allocated a Married Quarter and who subsequently retire or leave are required under Regulation to return vacant possession of that property. Where the property is not vacated those remaining in the property, be they the former serving member, their spouse, children and/or other person, are regarded as Overholding.

It was brought to my Department’s attention that the property referred to was occupied by a person unknown to the Department. My Department has no agreement with the current occupant that allows her remain in the property and cannot accede to her requests to carry out the works.

When maintenance issues are brought to the attention of my Department in relation to properties occupied by Overholders, matters of a Health and Safety concern are dealt with.

Finally, my Department seeks to continue to regularise Overholding matters without recourse to legal action where possible. However, the provision of housing for members of the public is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and my Department assists in any way it can in support of such applications for assistance, when requested to do so.