Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Vote 36 includes an allocation of €529 million for pay and allowances. The Minister of State mentioned a Permanent Defence Force strength of 9,500. Is he confident that a strength of 9,500 will be reached and thus that €529 million will be required? If not, where will any surplus be diverted to? There is concern within the Defence Forces that the cost of pay is cannibalising the overall defence budget. Will the Minister of State clarify if there are any planned military-specific allowance increases? In a previous session I asked if there was a review under way of the terms and conditions of recruitment. I would like clarification on whether a review is under way, or a delay in that regard, of the terms and conditions of recruitment in the context of the current recruitment phase for the RDF and the Naval Service Reserve.

In regard to the Defence Forces budget, in our discussions in this area last year it was mentioned that the budget is reducing or stagnant in real terms. I would like the Minister of State to comment on that. Regarding moving the deadline for the Public Service Pay Commission to report, when does the Minister of State expect that to happen?

In regard to Operation Sophia, the Minister of State said that overseas commitments are subject to available resources. Are available resources likely to compromise any future operations or is he confident that he has an appropriate allocation in that regard?

I would like to know the underspend and overspend in capital last year and how it has fed into the projections for this year. What was the projected allocation and the underspend or overspend for current expenditure? What was the underspend or overspend for pay year-on-year? We need to know if money allocated last year is feeding into the allocation for this year or if it was returned to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Exchequer.

In regard to CASA replacement and the funding for PC12s, is funding to meet this cost being diverted from any other budget and, if so, will the Minister of State clarify it is not affecting recruitment plans? We have had a significant debate on Project Ireland 2040. The Minister of State mentioned the NDP in his opening statement. The cost of the children's hospital has overrun by a significant amount. He mentioned a €541 million allocation. Has he been approached or have there been any formal discussions between his officials and officials in other Departments about the defence capital allocation being affected by the children's hospital overrun? Will he clarify that the €541 million he mentioned is not affected in any way?