Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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71. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on his engagement with veterans' associations; the work of his Department to support veterans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39124/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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, as well as the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO), 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.

Additionally, in line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government to "support the establishment of centres for members of the Defence Forces", my Department continues to facilitate, where possible, the establishment of further ONE Veterans Support Centres and IUNVA Posts around the country. I was able to see the work of both organisations first-hand during my visits to ONE HQ in July 2023 and IUNVA HQ in June of this year.