Defence Forces

Wednesday, 4 March 2026

Questions (37)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

37. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence to provide a full breakdown of the Defence Vote for the most recent available financial year, specifying the total amount spent by the Department of Defence as a civilian administrative body including staff costs, consultancy, accommodation, travel, information technology systems, and all other administrative expenditure; the total amount spent directly on the Defence Forces including pay, equipment, training, fuel, ammunition, and all operational expenditure; the ratio this represents between administrative and operational spending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17581/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Defence

Overall provisional expenditure on Vote 36 (Defence) for 2025 was 1.039 billion. Of this, €995 million (96%) related to Programme costs, with €44 million (4%) attributable to the Administrative Costs of the Vote.

Overall current expenditure pay costs of €551 million in 2025 comprised of €519 million in Programme Pay costs and €32 million in Administrative Pay costs.

Non-pay programme expenditure of €254 million, included €242 million in programme costs for essential and ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs, along with administrative non-pay costs of €12 million.

Record capital investment of €234 million in 2025, comprised almost entirely of Programme expenditure and provided for the necessary procurement and upgrading of defensive equipment and infrastructure.

Programme funding also provided funding towards Civil Defence and a grant towards the Irish Red Cross Society in 2025.

All aspects of 2025 spending will be subject to scrutiny and audit by the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor-General, in line with the relevant statutory guidelines and timelines.