Dara Calleary
Ceist:36. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence the capital investment that is being made in the Naval Service in 2022; and the plans that are in place to strengthen the naval fleet. [13199/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 10 March 2022
Ceisteanna (36)
Freagraí scríofa
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on defence as part of the capability development and equipment development planning, EDP, process. Further additions to the equipment development plan are under consideration.
The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the national development plan of €566 million over the 2022 to 2025 timeframe. Within that capital allocation, the defence annual capital budget for 2022 is €141 million. Over recent years the capital budget has also been augmented through the reallocation of a pay underspend within the Defence Vote.
Among the major Naval Service capital projects set to be prioritised over the coming years are:-
- the ongoing Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme, including radar and other equipment upgrades, replacement of Naval Service Reserve motor launches, the mid-life refit of the P50 Class of Naval Vessel and the replacement of the older ships, LÉ Eithne, LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla that have been in service since the mid-1980's.
- upgrade to accommodation facilities in various military locations including the Naval Base, Haulbowline.
The Government established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020. The work of the Commission encompassed the identification of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing and their report, will inform decisions regarding the future development of the Defence Forces. The Commission's recommendations are currently being considered.