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Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, announces doubling of grant to Defence Forces Veteran’s association, O.N.E.
Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe opening the O.N.E centre in Custume Barracks, Athlone.
The Government acknowledges, through the provision of an annual subvention, the valuable contribution that the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) makes in representing veterans. In recognition of this work, I am pleased to announce today that I am increasing my Department’s annual grant to O.N.E. from €44,000 to €100,000. This significant increase in the grant – more than double the previous grant - will make a substantial contribution to the work of O.N.E.
This funding from the Department is provided to support the general overheads of O.N.E. It is appropriate that I announce this increase in funding here in Athlone today while officially opening the new Veteran Support Centre. My Department and I are strongly supportive of O.N.E.’s plans to establish further Veteran Support Centres around the country. Fitting out new Centres with equipment, training volunteers and the increased administration and insurance liability will also increase O.N.E.’s overheads. The increase in the grant will cover some of these costs and allow O.N.E. to press ahead and bring to fruition their plans for a network of Veteran Support Centres nationwide.