Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2018

Wednesday, 21 November 2018

Questions (109)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the budget available to his Department remains sufficient to meet requirements in the course of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48637/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The total gross budget allocation for the Defence and Army Pensions Votes in 2018 is over €946 million. This allocation provides for the pay and allowances of over 10,400 public service employees (including 9,500 members of the Permanent Defence Force), ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs and also facilitates investment in essential equipment and infrastructure. It also provides for the payment of pension entitlements to former members of the Defence Forces and certain dependants.  

The budget allocation allows the Defence Forces to deliver on all their assigned roles, both at home and overseas, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.