Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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348. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to ensure that housing in barracks around the country is used. [42538/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that since the 1990s, the long-standing policy has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel. This policy approach remains reflective of the State’s move away from the historic provision of tied housing for State employees. Single living-in accommodation is provided for transient operational and training use and by its nature it is not designed for long stay accommodation. The allocation of such accommodation is decided locally by the military authorities pursuant to the provisions of Defence Forces Regulation Q6 (Public Quarters).

In terms of the Defence Forces residential housing stock, there are currently eighty (80) uninhabitable residential properties. None of these properties can be brought up to a habitable standard without significant work, and many were built prior to the introduction of building regulations. As such, considerable work is needed to bring them up to modern standards. It was in this context that consultants were commissioned to assess the condition of the Defence Forces vacant housing stock and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Forces personnel.

The consultant's report has now been presented to me, and I have reviewed its recommendations on which properties are suitable for refurbishment as accommodation. I have directed that my officials now engage with the Defence Forces to include these projects into the existing infrastructure development plan. These developments will dovetail with an extensive wider programme of Defence Forces accommodation procurement.