Vol. 526 No. 5
56 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Defence the amount of expenditure by his Department on the purchase of equipment for the Defence Forces in the years 1995 to 1997 and 1998 to 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27092/00]
Investment in new equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under the subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, and ships and naval stores.
Total expenditure for the period 1995 to 1997 under those subheads amounted to £94.77 million. The comparative figures for 1998 to 2000 will be in the region of £177 million. The final expenditure figures for this year will not be available until early 2001. The subheads comprise expenditure relating to equipment acquisition as well as maintenance, upgrading and operational costs. It should be noted that some rearrangement of the content of subheads took place during the periods in question for accounting purposes.
The Deputy will be aware that in the context of considering the White Paper on Defence the Government conveyed approval for the allocation of 100% of pay savings arising from the reduction in the approved strength level of the Permanent Defence Force to 10,500, together with 100% of the revenue arising from the sale of property surplus to military requirements, for investment in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. This will result in an unprecedented level of investment in the Defence Forces which will ensure that the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are fully equipped with the most modern equipment to carry out their roles at home and overseas.
