Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
206. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Defence to list all funding schemes, grant programmes and any other financial supports that are currently administered by her Department and its agencies; the expected launch and closing dates for applications for each scheme in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66925/25]
View answerThe total gross budget allocation for the Defence Vote Group in 2026 is €1.49 billion, comprising of €1.173 billion on Vote 36 (Defence) and €317 million on Vote 35 (Army Pensions).
The Army Pensions Vote provides for the payment of statutory pension entitlements to 13,500 former members of the Defence Forces and their dependants. The relevant terms and time limits for application for these entitlements are set out and payable in accordance with the relevant legislation under the various pension schemes and arrangements.
The Defence Vote allocation provides, inter alia, for the pay and allowances of up to 9,140 public service employees (including 8,100 members of the Permanent Defence Force), ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs and essential capital investment in equipment and infrastructure. It also provides operational grants to each local authority in relation to running costs for Civil Defence along with a grant to the Irish Red Cross towards its administration costs. The Department provides grant funding to Sail Training Ireland for youth development through participation on voyages organised by Sail Training Ireland.
My Department does not administer any funding schemes, grant programmes or other financial supports that require the submission of applications. As a result, there are no launch or closing dates for any such scheme scheduled for 2026 to be managed by my Department or its agencies.
