Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
315. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence the nature of refurbishment works that are scheduled to be carried out at Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, this year; the estimated cost of each project, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29637/26]
View answerThe capital expenditure for building works in military installations and barracks across the country for the last five years was approximately €170 million.
This year, the capital allocation stands at €69.5 million for capital investment with a further €13.5 million allocation for ongoing maintenance and running costs.
Work has just been completed at Aiken Barracks on a new Dining Facility at a cost of €5.7m. This has replaced the catering infrastructure currently used by Defence Forces military and civilian staff and includes a kitchen, front of house dining facilities and co-located ration storage.
Also completed within existing IDP structures, a central heating upgrade and the installation of New Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging points have been delivered to Aiken Barracks.
The following project is in the design stage:
• A full technical refurbishment of Ablution facilities and insulation works to a three-storey accommodation block in the barracks.
In addition, my Department also allocates funding each year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This year a devolved budget of €13.5 million was assigned by my Department to the Defence Forces for these tasks. The individual prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.
