12 October 2022
Minister Coveney today welcomed the allocation of over €1.1 billion in Defence Sector funding outlined in Budget 2022
This represents an increase of €35 million on the corresponding 2021 budget allocation and will ensure that the Defence organisation can continue to deliver on White Paper on Defence commitments.
This allocation will be used to meet the ongoing pay and allowance costs of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Departmental civil servants, and ensures that the Vote is fully funded for the Permanent Defence Force target strength of 9,500.
The allocation also includes funding for Civil Defence and for the pensions and gratuities of ex-members of the Defence Forces and certain dependents.
This allocation further demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ongoing efforts at modernising and upgrading Defence equipment platforms and built infrastructure.
The White Paper on Defence Update 2019 reinforced the requirement for significant capital investment on defensive equipment programmes and on upgrading and modernising the Defence Forces built infrastructure. In that regard, Minister Coveney welcomed the €141 million in capital funding, as allocated in the NDP, and stated:
“The capital funding of €141 million for 2022 will allow Defence to continue the replacement and renewal of essential military equipment and will enable continued investment in Defence Forces installations. This builds upon the significant levels of capital investment in Defence in recent years.”
Among the major Defence Equipment upgrade and replacement programmes set to be prioritised over the coming years are:
• The Land Forces Capability Development and Force Protection Programmes, including an upgrade of the military transport fleet and next generation radio communications and signal equipment
• The ongoing Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme, which includes the mid-life refit of the P50 Class of Naval Vessel and the progression of the Multi Role Vessel project
• The ongoing Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programme which includes the purchase of the C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft
A significant number of Defence infrastructural projects will also be advanced under the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme, including:
• Provision of a new Cadet School in DFTC, Curragh Co Kildare
• Provision of a New Military Medical Facility for the Defence Forces at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin
• An upgrade to accommodation facilities in various military locations throughout the country such as Collins Barracks, Cork, McKee Barracks, Dublin and the Naval Base, Haulbowline.
Minister Coveney also paid tribute to the work carried out by the Permanent Defence Force, Civil Defence, Reserve Defence Force and his Department during the Covid-19 pandemic as he commented:
“As always, members of the Defence Forces and Civil Defence have excelled in a time of national crisis. The collective response has been sustained, flexible and timely and has been of enormous benefit to the HSE and other arms of the State battling this pandemic over the last eighteen months or so”
In conclusion, Minister Coveney stated “The people of Ireland can truly be proud of the marvellous work the Defence Organisation has undertaken on their behalf throughout a difficult year and will continue to do in 2022, as required.”
ENDS