Vol. 561 No. 4
220 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the measures as outlined in the review of Estimates report which have been implemented by his Department to date; the measures he proposes to implement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4473/03]
The gross provision for Defence in the abridged version of the Estimates for 2003 is in line with the amount recommended by the Estimates review committee. It had recommended, among other things, that the second phase of the armoured personnel carrier programme be postponed, that the proposed spend on trainer aircraft be reduced by 50% and that expenditure on the capital building programme be reduced by €6 million. However, by re-allocating moneys within the overall provision in 2002 and 2003, it has been possible to proceed with the acquisition of eight trainer air craft and an additional 25 armoured personnel carriers. The amount provided for the capital building programme in 2003 was reduced by only €2 million instead of the €6 million recommended by the committee.
Regarding the proceeds from the sale of surplus property, the committee recommended that, with effect from 2003, estimated receipts should be included under appropriations-in-aid in the Defence Vote. However, it has been decided to continue to bring such receipts to account as extra Exchequer receipts.
