asked the Minister for Defence if he has asked the NBA to provide homes for Army personnel in the following towns: Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Manorhamilton.

Soldiers have an equal claim on local authority houses with other members of the community in the same income group and the policy of the Department of Defence in the matter is to supplement the efforts of local authorities where the Army housing needs are greatest. The Department have no proposals at present for the provision of houses for soldiers at the locations mentioned in the question.

In view of the fact that many of the Army personnel do not qualify on residential grounds, will the Taoiseach state if the Department will take special steps to ensure that there is adequate housing for these young men?

As the Deputy knows, the Army have completed a number of housing projects in various areas and at present there are no proposals to provide houses at new centres. I would point out that Army personnel are entitled to consideration on the same basis as other applicants in local authority areas.

These men are not in the same position as other people in local authority areas because they are moved around from station to station. Will the Department give special consideration at this stage to housing Army personnel who do not qualify on residential grounds because of their Army service? Will the Taoiseach examine the situation? It exists in garrison towns where personnel who join the Defence Forces are moved from town to town and do not qualify for local authority accommodation.

Will the Deputy please put a short question?

It is farcical to say that because the local authorities are building houses serving soldiers get accommodation. They do not because they do not qualify. I would ask that special consideration be given to this problem.

I appreciate that difficulties may arise in certain cases. In some areas local authorities have provided extra houses for Army personnel. With regard to their not qualifying, that would apply only where the whole family are moved. As the Deputy knows, in most cases when a soldier is transferred from one area to another the family do not move with him.

Will the Taoiseach tell the House if the Army normally have advance consultation with the local authorities regarding the provision of houses?

They certainly had in an area known to the Deputy. I understand extra houses are being provided in the Monaghan area. In general, the areas where Army personnel are located are known in advance. Of course there have been extra posts because of Border duty but even in those cases they are fairly fixed posts.

Is the Taoiseach aware that the housing scheme in Monaghan was planned and completed many years ago? Further, is he aware that there is not accommodation for Army personnel in those houses because they are all occupied?

The question deals with houses in Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Manorhamilton. I am calling Question No. 12.