Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
135. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of the 88 projects committed to in the 2015 White Paper on Defence that have been commenced, completed, abandoned and are ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15955/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2015 White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon and encompasses all work carried out by the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and Civil Defence. It comprehends the Government’s policy on defence of the State from armed aggression, the defence contribution to domestic security, the defence contribution to international peace and security and a broad range of other “non-security” roles which the Government require the Defence Forces and Civil Defence to undertake. It considers the defence capabilities required so that the Defence Forces can successfully deliver on the roles assigned by Government. Finally, the White Paper also considers implementation and the actions required to ensure that defence planning and provision processes are further developed.
During scoping of the White Paper implementation programme 88 actions or projects were specifically identified along with 7 sub projects in the capability development area. Implementation of these specific actions is being carried out on a phased basis over a ten year period out to 2025. Implementation on a phased basis is necessary in order to reflect Programme for Partnership Government and Strategy Statement commitments, the related nature of some projects and resourcing implications. This process is being kept under review and will be subject to change as issues arise and other business dictates.
The 88 specific actions arising from the White Paper represent a subset of the totality of the work being carried out as part of the implementation process. While it is currently intended to have all 88 projects initiated or completed by the end of the ten year implementation programme, work in certain areas will continue beyond 2025 in order to ensure that changes, improvements and actions envisaged in the White Paper are fully implemented and to assure that positive outcomes endure and are embedded in the day to day business of the Defence Organisation.
The specific actions are being implemented through the use of a project management framework. Civil/Military project teams are being established for each action as it is initiated. To date, 36 actions have been progressed, with an additional 11 actions due to be initiated this year. These actions cover a variety of areas and are at various stages of development. Already 5 actions have successfully closed, while another 5 of the original 36 are nearing completion and should close in Q2 2018. Each of the actions that have been initiated is being managed by a joint Civil/Military project team.
