Joan Burton
Question:49 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the estimates for his Department for 2004. [29438/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.
The gross Estimates for defence and army pensions for 2004 are €729 million and €165 million, respectively.
The allocation for Defence in 2004 will ensure a continuation of the policy of continuous recruitment introduced by me in 1998 and will enable further progress to be made in the ongoing investment programmes on new equipment and infrastructure in the Defence Forces.
The provision for compensation in 2004 is €24 million compared with more than €50 million in the 2003 Estimates, reflecting a significant downward trend in expenditure on loss of hearing claims – actual expenditure this year will be substantially less than the amount provided.
The proceeds from the sale of Clancy Barracks, due to be completed early next year, are included under appropriations-in-aid. Up to now, receipts from major property sales have been remitted directly to the Exchequer as extra Exchequer receipts. However, this has no impact on the arrangement whereby such receipts are re-invested in the Defence Forces.
Joe Sherlock
Question:50 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the funding which has been allocated in the estimates for his Department for 2004 for the establishment of the Office of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29437/03]
In July 2001, the Government approved the drafting of an Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill, along the lines of a general scheme of a Bill presented to Government. In January 2002 the draft text of the Bill was submitted to Government and was approved for publication and circulated to Deputies. I am glad to say that I am currently in the process of taking the Bill through Second Stage and it is my intention that the Bill will be enacted early in the New Year and an appointment made to the new office of ombudsman for the Defence Forces as soon as practical thereafter.
It is my intention that the funding required for the establishment of the new office will be met from within the Department of Defence's existing resources.