Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
430. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the funding being allocated for the upgrade of facilities for personnel in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36374/20]
View answerThe Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. Over the course of the programme it is projected that some €145m will be allocated to ensure programme delivery.
In relation to the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Deputy may wish to note that the following major capital projects have been completed recently:
- the refurbishment of Blocks B and D of Pearse Barracks (€3.1m);
- the provision of a newly constructed ammunition storage facility (€10.3m);
- the completion in 2020 of the upgrading and refurbishment of Plunkett Block 7 (€2m).
My Department has allocated in excess of €9m to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This is a devolved budget assigned to the Defence Forces by my Department. The prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out under the devolved budget, is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.
The Plan also calls for the development of the following projects in the DFTC:
- provision of a new Electric Target Range;
- provision of a new Cadet school;
- provision of a new CIS workshop;
- provision of a new ARW Headquarters; and the
- development of a new auditorium suite at the Military College.
