Defence Forces

Wednesday, 3 July 2024

Questions (58)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

58. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on capital investment undertaken in defence since July 2020; the major improvements provided by this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28646/24]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

Capital investment in Defence is primarily directed at providing sufficient military capabilities, across land, air, maritime and cyber domains, to meet specific roles assigned to the Defence Forces. In the main, this investment is for the acquisition of defensive equipment and the construction or upgrade of barracks infrastructure.

Defence Equipment capital expenditure projects are often atypical, with long lead-in times and usually pursued over a multi-annual timeframe. The availability of comprehensive, internal capital planning frameworks, in the form of the Equipment Development Plan (EDP) for Defence Forces equipment acquisitions and the Infrastructural Development Plan (IDP) for Defence Forces Infrastructural projects, along with the establishment of a joint Civil-Military Capability Development Branch are key enablers within Defence capital planning processes.

Defence can point to a very strong capital expenditure spending record over recent years, with overall capital investment of €674 million incurred over the period from July 2020 to end-June 2024.

This level of capital investment has delivered significant improvements to Defence Forces capabilities over this timeframe, and has facilitated the progression of, inter alia, the following major Defence Forces Equipment & Infrastructural Projects –

• The acquisition of two new C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft;

• The upgrade of the Defence Forces Armoured Personnel Carrier Fleet;

• The supply of a Software Defined Radio capability to the Defence Forces;

• The acquisition of a C295 W Military Transport Aircraft;

• The acquisition of four new PC-12 Utility Aircraft;

• The acquisition of two Inshore Naval Patrol Vessels;

• The upgrade of the Defence Forces Transport Fleet;

• The upgrade & refurbishment of accommodation at McKee Barracks;

• The upgrade of the former USAC Student Accommodation Block, Renmore, Galway;

• The upgrade of the Cadet School, DFTC;

• The upgrade of accommodation at Collins Barracks, Cork;

• The upgrade of accommodation at Naval Base, Haulbowline.

Under the 2021-30 National Development Plan (NDP), the Defence capital allocation will rise from its 2024 level of €176 million to €215 million in 2025 and €220 million in 2026, a level of increase which will bring the Defence allocation to its highest ever level. It will also ensure that the Defence Forces continue to undertake the roles assigned by Government, while also enabling the transformation of the Defence Forces in line with the objectives and timeframes set out in the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.