Vol. 553 No. 3
8 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the 2002 Estimates for public capital spending by his Department; if the net expendi ture under headings is likely on present trends to be exceeded; and if so, the amount by which in each case. [13748/02]
The Estimates for my Department for 2002 in relation to capital items are as follows:
|
€m |
|
|
Barrack reinvestment programme |
23.473 |
|
Normal building programme |
17.941 |
|
Communication and information technology |
1.199 |
|
Office machinery |
0.648 |
|
Property management |
0.013 |
|
Total |
43.274 |
It is expected that all the capital moneys will be fully expended within the year and an excess of expenditure is not anticipated.
Does the Minister agree there may be a need for more resources for the Defence Forces in the future in view of the fact that the security environment has changed drastically throughout the world since last 11 September? Protection of our airspace is of the utmost importance. Is the Minister satisfied we have the wherewithal to provide this protection in view of what has happened?
The last Administration made a determined effort to try to address what was a very difficult situation given that the Defence Forces were poorly equipped and it tried to address that in a systematic way. Considerable progress has been made on all fronts – the acquisition of ships for the Navy as well as the acquisition of armoured personnel carriers and a range of other equipment. Regarding new equipment, it is not likely that the Estimate for the Defence Forces will increase in future in the context of the pressure on public finances as well as the demands of health, education and other areas. We will be fighting as hard as we can to maintain a sufficient level of investment but I do not envisage a substantial increase in the future regarding the purchase of new equipment.
For the benefit of new Deputies, when we finish Priority Questions any Deputy is entitled to ask a supplementary question as long as we do not exceed the six minutes allotted for the particular question.
