Cathal Crowe
Question:60. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an overview of Budget 2024 in relation to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50709/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 November 2023
Questions (60)
Written answers
The total allocation provided for the Defence Vote Group for 2024 is €1.231 billion, comprising of €921 million for Vote 36 - Defence and €310 million for Vote 35 - Army Pensions. This is an overall increase of €21 million on 2023.
For 2024, the key priority is to progress the transformation of the Defence Forces, with a programme of work as outlined in the Strategic Framework, including facilitating ongoing investment in defence capabilities while also ensuring that the Defence Forces are fully funded to continue to deliver on all operational outputs, both at home and overseas.
The Commission on the Defence Forces reinforced the requirement for significant capital investment on defensive equipment programmes and on upgrading and modernising the Defence Forces built infrastructure. In that context, I welcome the 2024 Defence capital allocation of €176 million, an allocation which ensures that the capital budget for Defence is maintained at its highest ever level.
This allocation will be used for the ongoing replacement and upgrade of essential military equipment, necessary building and maintenance works and ICT projects, as part of a sustained programme of equipment replacement and infrastructural development to include, inter alia, Primary Radar, Software Defined Radio and Force Protection Programmes along with a wide range of Defence Forces Built Infrastructure projects encompassing Army, Air Corps and Naval Service installations throughout the country.
The overall 2024 Defence (Vote 36) pay allocation of €538 million provides for the pay and allowances of Permanent Defence Force personnel, civilian employees (technicians, trades, etc.) and departmental civil servants. It also provides for paid training for members of the Reserve Defence Force.
Ongoing staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces are acknowledged and, in that context, there are a vast number of recruitment and retention measures currently underway within the Defence Organisation to address these issues. I can confirm that the 2024 PDF pay allocation provides for a prevailing PDF strength of 7,700 plus anticipated additional personnel of 400, and includes all carryover impacts of the existing Public Service Pay Agreement.
The current expenditure non-pay allocation has increased significantly by €32 million to €207 million and provides mainly for essential and ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs including utilities, fuel, catering, maintenance, information technology and training.
The Defence allocation for 2024 also includes specific funding for a number of key recommendations arising from the CODF and the IRG, such as:
• An increased Civilian Support allocation to facilitate further progression of civilian recruitment and to also allow for an increased spend on the essential engagement of external contractors and consultants;
• An increased Defence Forces Medical Healthcare allocation to cover the full year costs of extended healthcare to all Defence Forces personnel;
• A specific provision to meet the 2024 costs of the Tribunal of Inquiry arising from the IRG Report;
• A significant increase in the advertising allocation to support an enhanced Defence Forces recruitment effort throughout 2024;
In addition, over €6 million will be provided for essential training, equipment and running costs for Civil Defence, including funding for new uniforms for members of Civil Defence.
The 2024 Army Pensions (Vote 35) allocation of €310 million will provide funding for 13,475 Army Pensioners and certain dependants.
The 2024 funding allocation provided to Defence will allow the PDF to continue to meet all tasks assigned by Government, both at home and overseas, and reflects the commitment of the Government to providing a financial platform for the transformation of the Defence Forces as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces and to progress implementation of recommendations of the IRG Report.