Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
152. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will confirm the specific projects that will benefit from the Defence Forces' capital spending allocation, which is set to increase to €220 million by 2026; how this will impact operational capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42591/24]
View answerCapital 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 are 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 built infrastructural projects, along with the establishment of a joint Civil-Military Capability Development Branch are key enablers within Defence capital planning processes.
The publication of revised multi-annual capital allocations in the National Development Plan (NDP), earlier this year included increases in the Defence capital allocation to €215 million in 2025 and €220 million in 2026. This represents an increase of €79 million (56%) in capital funding since the government approved the move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces, and will bring the Defence capital allocation to its highest ever level in 2026. This increased level of funding will enable progress across a broad range of priority Defence equipment upgrade and replacement programmes over the coming years, such as:-
• Ongoing Land Forces Capability Development and Force Protection Programmes, including an upgrade of the military transport fleet, next generation IT, communications and signal equipment and force protection equipment;
• Ongoing Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme, which includes progression of the Multi-Role Vessel project, replacement of secondary armament across the fleet and enhanced sub-sea capabilities;
• Ongoing Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programmes, including the delivery, in 2023, of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft which are now operational, with a third C295 aircraft in Military Transport specification scheduled for delivery in 2025. Additionally, new rotary wing capability will be the subject of a future procurement process beginning in the near term.
The increased level of funding will also enable continued investment in Defence Forces built infrastructure across the country, with the 2025 allocation set to be the highest provided to date. Currently, there are a vast array of various projects underway at different stages of development, from design planning to construction, which include, for example,
• Upgrade of former USAC Accommodation Block, Galway;
• New CIS Workshop Facility, Defence Forces Training Centre;
• New Garaging Facility, Defence Forces Training Centre;
• Various projects to develop the Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston Camp;
• Gymnasium works at Finner Camp, Casement Aerodrome, Haulbowline Naval Base and Renmore Barracks;
• Construction of two new hangars at Casement Aerodrome;
• Naval Base dredging works.
This significant level of capital investment will ensure that the Defence Forces can continue to undertake the roles assigned by Government, both at home and overseas, while also progressing the transformation of the Defence Forces in line with the objectives and timeframes set out in the Strategic Framework and the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
