Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
6. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when a decision will be taken on the location of the new Army headquarters; if Athlone will be considered given its central location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22145/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI ask about the proposed location for the new Army headquarters. When will a decision be taken on that? Will the Tánaiste commit to giving Custume Barracks, Athlone, favourable consideration?
I thank the Deputy, who has been strongly advocating for Athlone for this role for some time. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020, which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on 9 February 2022.
The commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and defence provision. It covers high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
In July 2022, the Government approved a high-level action plan in response to the commission report. As part of this, approval was given for a move over a six-year period to a level of Defence Forces capability equivalent to level of ambition 2, as set out in the capability framework devised by the commission, which will entail funding increases to reach a defence budget of circa €1.5 billion, at January 2022 prices, by 2028 through the annual Estimates process.
There are a number of recommendations contained in the report which may impact on the structure of the Defence Forces, including that the structure of the Army be reviewed, and, in that context, the disposition of units across the Defence Forces may be considered. The recommendation that the structure of the Army be reviewed was identified as an early action in the high-level action plan.
No decisions on the future disposition or locations of Defence Forces formations, installations and personnel have been made at this time. In keeping with the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, military authorities have established an office of Army force design which will undertake the work required to give effect to this recommendation.
The detailed implementation plan approved by Government in November last year sets out a number of work streams that will inform phase 2 of the Army design process which is expected to deliver an agile, flexible and regionally balanced force.
The Tánaiste will remember that the last time he visited Custume Barracks he met with me and councillors Keena and O'Rourke, who put a strong case for considering Athlone as the future Army headquarters. The Tánaiste is right to say it was among the Fianna Fáil party requests for the programme for Government that a commission be established on the future of the Defence Forces. I welcome its establishment, the work it did, the publication of the report and its acceptance by the Government. The report recommends that a new Army headquarters be established. For the first time ever, we would have a stand-alone Army in the Defence Forces. Part of the recommendation is that the Army headquarters be centrally located. It further recommends the Army's footprint be regionally disposed to aid recruitment and retention. I do not think anyone would argue against the contention that the most central location for the Army would be Athlone. I ask that the Tánaiste take that on board, accept the recommendations of the commission and implement them as soon as practically possible.
I recall meeting the Deputy with councillors Keena and O'Rourke at Custume Barracks. We are investing in Custume Barracks in support of the personnel and operations there. Improvement works are ongoing, including the band hall. The Defence Forces school of music is based there, and that project, which is almost complete, provided an energy retrofit and refurbishment. The emergency aeromedical service operates from Custume Barracks. The project is to replace the unsuitable hangar with a new redeployable hangar that is fully insulated, all-weather and appropriate for the AW139 helicopter used for the service. That will cost about €1.5 million - €1,445,764 to be exact, just in case anyone gets any ideas. It is proposed to provide a modern, fit-for-purpose secure engineer equipment storage facility that complies with health, safety, building and fire regulations. That will cost an estimated €600,000.
We have to organise the design of the force before getting into the specifics of locations but it is fair to say Custume Barracks is a key installation for the Army in the support of operations at home and overseas. We will keep a close eye on this but I have to await military advice. The deliberations on this issue will take some time.
The Tánaiste mentioned a target for Defence Forces strength of 11,500 by 2028. The current figure is 7,500 and we are, I am told, losing 50 personnel net per month. Critical to reaching our 2028 target is having an Army that is regionally disposed to aid retention and facilitate recruitment. I would argue a decision needs to be taken relatively quickly to ensure we meet the stated objectives of the commission's report. I presume the Government accepts the commission's recommendations. Will the Tánaiste clarify that? If it does accept them, those recommendations clearly state the Army structure should involve a stand-alone Army with its own headquarters in a central location. To me it is as clear as day versus night that the central location should be Custume Barracks, Athlone.
It is acknowledged we have to significantly improve recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. We have taken many decisions to facilitate that, not least the big recent decision to extend the retirement age to 60. That will be followed up with legislation to extend it to 62 and to improve the date at which people can apply, and raise that threshold also. There are various allowances and there has been a significant improvement in starting pay for members of the Defence Forces.
It is a very comprehensive agenda ahead of us in terms of the commission. We do accept the commission's report and the Government has announced the priorities. We have a detailed implementation plan with timelines against each recommendation that the Government has accepted. One of those is the establishment of an Army force design team with a colonel rank in the lead. With initial supporting staff appointed, it is tasked to progress post phase 1 planning in respect of the structures of the Army. That was identified as an early action in the high-level action plan. We have to let the team do its work, which I will assess that when I get the team's report.
I hear very strongly what the Deputy says about the geographic location of Custume Barracks and its history and tradition in facilitating further recruitment, as well as the various installations in the barracks and the activities that take place there. It is key with regard to deployment domestically and overseas.
