asked the Minister for Defence having regard to the number of experienced soldiers in Dublin who are obliged to leave the Army in order to obtain adequate housing for their families, if he will expedite the building of sufficient modern accommodation for the married members of the Defence Forces and their families; and if, in the meantime, he will make representations to Dublin Corporation with a view to that body terminating the practice of not favourably considering applications for housing from soldiers residing in Army quarters, even when such quarters are substandard.

There is no evidence that any soldiers are leaving the Permanent Defence Force solely to obtain houses.

The provision of housing is primarily a matter for local authorities. The policy of my Department is to supplement the efforts of local authorities where soldiers' housing needs are greatest. Since 1954, 334 new married quarters have been provided at various locations throughout the country, including 92 in Dublin city. Married soldiers have equal claim on local authority houses with other members of the community in the same category. Dublin Corporation are very co-operative in this matter.

It is the intention that all unsuitable married quarters will be replaced by modern housing, as part of the programme for improving conditions for serving soldiers.

Surely the Minister must be aware that quite a number of long-serving soldiers who live in the married quarters concerned, Cathal Brugha Barracks, have tendered their resignation from the Army from time to time long before it might be expected that they would want to leave the Army? I realise that this is not a question but recently on one day alone three different families in those quarters indicated to me that the men were resigning from the Army in order to get decent accommodation. They could no longer tolerate the appalling conditions. That happened on one day alone.

They have not given that officially as their reasons for retirement. Our experience is that the corporation have been co-operative with regard to giving married personnel houses.

I suggest that the Minister contact local Deputies.

A final supplementary from Deputy Creed.

Would the Minister accept that housing shortage and bad housing accommodation are factors in Army personnel leaving, even though they do not necessarily give those as their reasons for leaving? This applies to those who buy themselves out and those who leave after the initial term. The main factors are shortage of housing and bad accommodation.

They are not given as reasons for retirement.

Ceist 31.

That may be so, but would the Minister accept that this is a fact? Again, we have the problem of overholding in married quarters.

The soldiers are not to blame.

But they are overholding.

Would the Minister please reply to Question No. 31?