Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015
87. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the projects and proposals that he submitted to the Government’s 2016 to 2021 capital investment plan; the projects that were accepted; and those that were rejected. [41163/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s 2016-2021 Capital Investment Plan provides a significant boost in capital funding for the Defence Sector. The €437m allocated to Defence, which includes an additional €65m over the 2016-2021 timeframe, will allow Defence to make significant investments in equipment and infrastructure over the lifetime of the Capital Plan. Proposals under the Capital Investment Plan were submitted and approved in the aggregate and are based on priorities identified in the White Paper on Defence. The White Paper on Defence identifies the priorities for the investment of these funds over the coming years. It sets out proposals for the replacement of major equipment platforms and other priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, in accordance with capability requirements. The funding allocated in this Capital Plan will play a vital role is ensuring that the priorities identified in the White Paper can be met and that the Defence Forces can deliver fully on the roles assigned by Government.
While specific investment decisions are still at the planning stage, the broad areas in which these capital funds will be invested are as follows:-
- Replacement programmes for defensive equipment across the Army, Naval Service and the Air Corps, including payments arising under the Naval Vessel replacement programme;
- Investment in Defence Forces Built Infrastructure including refurbishment of the Defence property portfolio and provision of replacement and additional facilities where required;
- Development of the Peace & Leadership Institute;
- Purchase of new and replacement Information and Communication Technology hardware across the Department and the Defence Forces.
