Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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83. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to provide a progress report on the establishment of an office of veteran affairs (details supplied); if he will commit to providing better resources for veterans of the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37866/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of an Office of Veterans Affairs, under new Defence Forces structures, was one of the recommendations included in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces published on 9 February 2022. A detailed implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations was subsequently published on 21 November 2023. The plan envisages the establishment of the Office of Veterans Affairs in Q4 2025. In the meantime, comparative research is being undertaken to establish the supports offered to veterans in other jurisdictions. This research will inform the establishment of the Office of Veterans Affairs. The purpose and responsibilities of the Office will then be developed.

My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My officials and I meet regularly with these recognised Veterans Associations to discuss matters of concern to their members.

My Department has entered into Service Level Agreements with ONE and IUNVA, under which an annual grant is paid to both organisations in order to assist with their administrative overheads. ONE is paid €130,000 and IUNVA is paid €30,000. These grants were increased substantially in 2022.

As a further means of assistance, since 2021 my Department has also secured total funding of €900,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects.

Over the past number of years the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces have assisted ONE in its plans to establish a network of Veterans Support Centres (VSCs) around the country through a leasing arrangement. ONE has established a total of 15 VSCs. The VSCs help to prevent homelessness through early intervention and to address loneliness. VSCs are available to ALL veterans to seek support and advice, not just ONE members. ONE’s VSCs are located in Dundalk, Limerick, Athlone, Galway, Kilkenny, Curragh Camp, Athy, Cavan, Dublin (Baldonnel, McKee and Cathal Brugha Barracks), Cobh, Cork, Finner Camp and Wexford. Eleven VSCs are located in military installations – all except Athy, Cavan, Cobh and Limerick. ONE plans to establish more Veteran Support Centres in Drogheda, Longford and Nenagh. These Veteran Support Centres are run by ONE volunteers. There are no plans for the Office of Veteran Affairs to co-ordinate and manage this network and no request from ONE for the Office to do so. My Department and I will continue to work with and support ONE and IUNVA to support veterans.