Dara Calleary
Question:104. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the implementation of projects under the white paper on Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3795/22]
View answerThursday, 27 January 2022
Questions (104)
Written answers
The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon and covers all aspects of defence within the broader security policy framework. Since publication of the White Paper in 2015, a total of 95 separate projects have been identified for completion over a ten-year period. To provide flexibility, projects may be sub-divided or merged, changing the top-line number. Project and Programme Management Governance arrangements were put in place to monitor the ongoing status of individual projects and to review the scope of projects within the programme.
Implementation of all of the projects is being carried out on a phased basis through the use of a project management framework with each being managed by a joint Civil-Military Project Team. The overall process is being kept under on-going review and will be subject to change as issues arise and other business dictates.
Following on from the White Paper Update 2019 and the Government’s High Level Implementation Plan to implement the Report of the Public Service Pay Commission, senior civil and military management concluded a review in early 2021 of the projects which resulted in reprioritisation of certain projects. This took account of work that is progressing across the organisation which has been contributing to implementation of the White Paper.
The review of progress on all projects led to the approval of an updated White Paper Programme Implementation Roadmap. Of the initial 95 projects, 66 have been formally initiated to date with 47 now formally closed and an additional four are in the closing process. Commencement of a further 15 projects in the period 2022 to 2025 was also approved. 14 other projects have been deferred, pending recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces which is due to report shortly.
Question No. 105 answered orally.