Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
206. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason for capital expenditure running €27 million behind profile, as outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37473/23]
View answerThe primary return on Defence capital investment is the maintenance and development of necessary military capabilities, which provide the means by which the Defence Forces contribute to national and international peace and security and fulfil all other roles assigned by Government. Ongoing and future capital investment in Defence Forces equipment and infrastructural requirements are planned and prioritised through the Defence Equipment Development Plan and the Defence Infrastructural Development Plan, with a significant number of programmes/projects in progress at any one time. Defence capital programmes/projects are atypical, multi-annual and often have long lead-in times.
Underspends on profile can arise for various reasons. For example, a payment of €15 million in respect of the acquisition of the C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, profiled for June, was not made until July, shortly after its delivery at the end of June. At any time, there are multiple, ongoing Defence Forces Equipment & Infrastructural projects underway. Payments are made based on the progress in the projects, which can give rise to variances with the monthly profile. However, the Department expects that capital expenditure will align more closely with profile as the year progresses, and the capital allocation is projected to be fully expended by year-end.
