Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the budget available to his Department remains sufficient to meet requirements in the course of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13449/24]
View answerThe 2024 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) provides an allocation of €1.25 billion in Defence Group funding, an increase of €40 million over 2023. The Defence Vote Group includes the Defence and Army Pensions Votes. The allocations for 2024 are €933 million for the Defence Vote and €317 million for the Army Pensions Vote. This significant level of funding will further enable progress on the transformation of the Defence Forces in line with the obje.ctives and timeframes outlined in the Defence Strategic Framework, published last September.
The increased current expenditure allocation of €757 million on the Defence Vote will not only address existing spending pressures across many operational areas, but will also include targeted funding for a number of key recommendations arising from the CODF and the IRG, such as:
• An increased Defence Forces Medical Healthcare allocation to cover the full year costs of extended healthcare to all Defence Forces personnel;
• A significant provision specifically 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;
• 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 expertise and services.
The Permanent Defence Force pay and allowances budget of €493 million will be used to meet the ongoing pay and allowance costs of a Permanent Defence Force (PDF) strength of 7,700 and will also facilitate the recruitment of an additional net 400 PDF personnel throughout 2024.
Recruitment and retention of personnel is a key priority for me. My Department has progressed a number of activities relating to recruitment and retention and related HR issues in the Defence Forces, including commissioning from the ranks, the re-entry of former PDF personnel with specific skills, an Air Corps Service Commitment Scheme, the Naval Service Tax Credit and extending service limits for Privates, Corporals and Sergeants.
Last November I announced that, with effect from 01 January 2024, the Patrol Duty Allowance (PDA) paid to Naval Service personnel will be doubled after ten days at sea, and earlier this month, following Government approval, I announced that the mandatory retirement age for PDF personnel will increase to 60 and the maximum recruitment age will be raised to 39, with both measures taking effect from 29th March, 2024. I believe that these positive, progressive measures will provide further support to the ongoing PDF recruitment and retention effort, which remains challenging in a buoyant economy.
The capital investment budget of €176 million for Defence remains at its highest ever level, and, along with progressing the strategically important development of primary radar capabilities, will facilitate investment in, inter alia, the Defence Forces communications systems, military transport aircraft, force protection equipment, transport vehicles, military engineering equipment and ICT projects. It will also enable continued investment in Defence Forces installations throughout the country.
The Defence Vote also provides funding for Civil Defence, Irish Red Cross Society and the Reserve Defence Force.
The 2024 Army Pensions (Vote 35) allocation of €317 million will provide funding for 13,475 Army Pensioners and certain dependants.
I remain satisfied that the 2024 allocation of €1.25 billion will enable the Defence Forces to effectively undertake all roles approved by Government, both at home and overseas, while also allowing considerable progress on the transformation agenda underway throughout the Defence Forces.
