Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:81. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the capital allocation across his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2022. [20447/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 9 May 2018
Ceisteanna (81, 82, 83)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:82. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department's capital allocation for projects under way and projects already tendered or committed to spending contractually. [20464/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJonathan O'Brien
Ceist:83. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2018 to 2022 disaggregated according to capital allocated to projects under way, projects contractually committed to and projects yet to be initiated. [20481/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 to 83, inclusive, together.
The National Development Plan (NDP) sets out Departmental Capital Allocations for the period 2018 – 2022. A total of €541 million has been allocated to the Defence Vote for these years, as follows:
Defence Capital Allocations 2018-2022
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Total |
|
€Million |
77 |
106 |
113 |
120 |
125 |
541 |
This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and ensure that the Defence Forces have the capabilities necessary to deliver on all the roles assigned by Government.
The following priority investment programmes and projects have been identified for inclusion under the Capital Allocation in the National Development Plan:
- Equipment renewal and replacement programmes including mid-life upgrade of the Army Mowag APC armoured fleet along with investment in further force protection, transport, communications and information technology, weapons and ammunition systems;
- Procurement of Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles;
- Replacement of the Air Corps Cessna Aircraft;
- CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement Programme;
- On-going Naval vessel replacement programme, including acquisition of a multi-role vessel;
- Mid-life refit of the Naval Service vessels LÉ Niamh and LÉ Roisín;
- On-going investment in the modernisation and renewal of barrack infrastructure including accommodation, catering, workshops, secure storage and training facilities.
The following investment projects are currently underway:
- Army Mowag APC armoured fleet upgrade – Overall cost is €55m, exclusive of VAT, with €7.5m due for payment in 2018;
- Air Corps Cessna Aircraft replacement - Overall cost is €40.5m, inclusive of VAT, with €12m due for payment in 2018;
- Naval vessel replacement programme – Final payment of €3.5m (incl. VAT) due for payment in 2018 for fourth ship, to be named L.É. George Bernard Shaw;
- Virtual Desktop Architecture (VDA) project for Defence Forces - The overall cost of is €12.8m (incl. VAT) with €2.56m due for payment in 2018;
- Modernisation and renewal of barrack infrastructure - €14.2m of capital funding has been allocated in the 2018 budget for Defence Forces built infrastructure.
With regard to the modernisation and renewal of Defence Forces built infrastructure, projects underway include:
- Ordnance storage facilities in the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare;
- Training facilities in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick and Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny;
- Accommodation facilities in the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp and Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin;
- Accommodation upgrade in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin;
- Catering facilities in Custume Barracks, Athlone;
- Upgrade of fuel storage safety system in the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co Cork.
Planned projects due to be delivered under the National Development Plan but yet to commence include:
- CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft replacement;
- Naval Service multi-role vessel acquisition;
- Mid-life refit of the Naval Service vessels LÉ Niamh and LÉ Roisín;
- Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles;
- Equipment renewal and replacement programmes along with investment in further force protection, transport, communications and information technology, weapons and ammunition systems;
- Modernisation and renewal of barrack infrastructure, across a number of military locations.
As these projects are in the planning and appraisal stages, it is not possible to provide costings until these processes are concluded.
In addition, during the lifetime of the National Development Plan, other equipment replacement and infrastructural development projects will be advanced across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. These projects will be implemented on the basis of identified requirements and priorities, as set out in the White Paper.