Defence Forces charity puts accommodation and mental health at heart of new plan
ONE, Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel) has launched its nine-part Strategic Plan for 2022-2026. The blueprint, unveiled at ONE’s annual convention at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin, this afternoon, outlines the charity’s action plan in helping mitigate homelessness for veterans of the Defence Forces and tackling mental health issues.
Speaking at the launch, the charity’s CEO, Cormac Kirwan, said the organisation is focused on securing sustainable government funding over the coming years, and the goal is supporting homeless veterans across the country, and helping ex-personnel access permanent accommodation, improve their mental health and prevent future homelessness.
To date, ONE has helped more than 1,000 veterans build their lives post-service.
The charity currently provides accommodation and meals for 51 veterans, who would otherwise be homeless, in its four residential homes.
It is developing a further residential facility in Cork city to take its homeless accommodation to 57 bedrooms.
ONE operates four homes – in Dublin, Athlone, Letterkenny and Cobh – and has a network of 15 Veteran Support Centres and 38 branches; however, with inflation, the cost of running those facilities is increasing.
The charity has an annual operating budget of approximately €1.1 million for services, as well as additional capital spending based on projects being undertaken.
While the organisation is grateful for the state funding it receives, there is a significant deficit, and that is generated through fundraisers, membership subscriptions and donations.
The ONE Strategic Plan 2022-2026 focuses on the organisation's primary goals for the coming years – Governance; Support and Awareness; Financial Stability; Veteran Homes; Veteran Support Centres and Branches; Veteran Mental Health Support; Diversity and Inclusion; The I Am A Veteran Network; and Government Veteran Policy.
The previous plan, Building for the Future, came to an end in early 2022, and the board of directors tasked the Strategy and Risk Committee with producing a new strategy which would be carried up until the charity’s 75th anniversary in 2026. The plan will be reviewed annually, and any proposed changes will be presented at the annual convention.
ONE was formed on March 10, 1951, in the Mansion House, Dublin, to address the enduring consequences of the major demobilisation after the Emergency Period. It has evolved into a charity that seeks to address the needs of veterans in the 21st century.
In 2022, the enduring effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, the increasingly unstable security situation exemplified by the war in Ukraine, rapid inflation, and the continuing housing crisis, were major factors affecting veterans.
Speaking at the launch, the chief executive of ONE, Cormac Kirwan, said: “Assisting veterans who face homelessness and addressing mental health issues following years of serving the country are two issues we are prioritising to help those in need.
"ONE is all about supporting veterans who volunteered to join the Defence Forces. Nobody volunteered to one day become homeless after working for years. The words service and veterans are often used together. The duration, the type of service and the rank achieved are not important; rather it is that veterans served their country at home and overseas in the cause of peace.
"Some of them now need your help. Please help ONE to help our veterans.”