Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2022
97. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence the amount of funding allocated for Defence Forces equipment under the National Development Plan; and if further funding has been allocated following the review of the National Development Plan. [3677/22]
View answerThe National Development Plan 2018-2027 originally provided an allocation of €541 million for Defence over a five year period from 2018 to 2022 to provide mainly for the acquisition, upgrade and renewal of military equipment and infrastructure. Following a review of this plan undertaken in 2021, a revised allocation of €566 million for the four year period 2022 to 2025 has been provided to Defence as part of the updated National Development Plan 2021-2030. This has increased the average annual capital allocation from €108 million to €141 million. In addition, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has facilitated the reallocation of pay savings in the Defence Vote to fund capital projects.
Many of the Defence Equipment projects are complex, multi-annual and have long lead-in times, so the funding provided by the National Development Plan will enable the Defence Forces to plan, prioritise and deliver scheduled projects over the coming years. Among the major Defence Equipment upgrade and replacement programmes set to be prioritised over the coming years are:
- The Land Forces Capability Development and Force Protection Programmes, including an upgrade of the military transport fleet and next generation radio communications and signal equipment;
- The ongoing Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme, which includes the mid-life refit of the P50 Class of Naval Vessel and the progression of the Multi Role Vessel project;
- The ongoing Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programme which includes the purchase of the C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020. The work of the Commission encompasses the consideration of appropriate military equipment capabilities, structures and staffing, and their report will inform decisions regarding the future development of the Defence Forces.
The Commission are finalising their work with a view to completing their Report as soon as possible. The Commission's Report, when submitted, will be fully considered at that point.
