Dáil Éireann - Volume 121 - 21 June, 1950

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fort Camden Army Personnel.

Mr. Desmond Mr. Desmond

Mr. Desmond asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that army personnel living in married quarters at Fort Camden, Crosshaven, County Cork, and attached to Collins Barracks, Cork, have to pay bus fares to and from Cork each day, and whether, in view of the hardship involved, he is prepared to make provision for their transport, or alternatively to grant a suitable travelling allowance.

Dr. O'Higgins Dr. O'Higgins

Dr. O'Higgins: I am aware that certain Army personnel occupying married quarters at Fort Camden, Crosshaven, County Cork, and attached to units stationed at Collins Barracks, Cork, must travel at their own expense to and from their duty at the barracks mentioned. It is not the practice to provide transport for, or to grant an allowance towards travelling expenses to, soldiers living outside barracks to facilitate them in travelling to or from their duty.

Mr. Desmond Mr. Desmond

Mr. Desmond: These 20 men have to travel a distance of roughly 32 miles per day. Would it not be possible to provide transport by lorry, or some other means, since there is no possibility of their obtaining housing accommodation in Cork City? Would the Minister also consider the fact that the weekly bus fare is roughly 16/- per week to and from Crosshaven?

Dr. O'Higgins Dr. O'Higgins

2077

Dr. O'Higgins: If it was proposed to pay travelling allowances to soldiers living 20 miles from barracks, one [2077] would have to provide travelling allowances for soldiers living 15, 12, eight or five miles from barracks. A whole new incidence of expenditure would grow up. The fact of the matter is that it is the soldiers' own choice that their families are living out there and they would not live out there were it not that it is very much cheaper to live there than to live nearer the city.

Dáil Éireann 121 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Fort Camden Army Personnel.

Questions

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