See below the written reply to the questions on foot of representations I have made to Clare Daly TD and the YouTube video’s below of the leaders questions and discussion on the subject of housing in The Curragh Camp.This blows Alan Shatters previous argument out of the water that they can “no longer subsidise” the people living in the Curragh Camp. It is clear from these figures that the Department of Defence is actually profiting over €120K per year from rental income from the houses in The Curragh. Therefore why doesn’t the DOD leave those families where they are, stop evicting them, and use those profits to upgrade the existing housing stock and the further 47 empty dwellings.I find it preposterous that the Department of Defence are evicting families, some whom were residents for over 40 when there are thousands on housing waiting lists in Kildare. Not only are they evicting them but they are relinquishing any duty of care to these families after all the years of service they have given. I know Shatter says they are for military use but surely there are other military families and/or single parents within the Defence Forces who may otherwise be on the council housing list who could avail of these vacant properties?
It beggars belief that the DOD can spend over one million i.e. €1,013,121 ( 2010-€203,366, 2011-€259,739, 2012-€275,008 and 2013-€275,008) as seen in the Dail debate below on protecting US military flights at Shannon which by the way contravenes Article 1 of the Hague Convention on Neutrality which states “The territory of neutral Powers is inviolable” yet they cannot protect vulnerable families who have given a lifelong service to the Defence Forces and the state.
Joanne Pender Independent 