Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Defence Forces personnel engaged in security duties, approved training courses and operational exercises and single personnel living in barracks may avail of daily meals in certain circumstances. Average annual expenditure in this area in the three years of 2019 to 2021 has been €3.2 million.

The current daily ration rate is €4.20. This rate is reviewed periodically to counter inflation impacts. The Office of Government Procurement, OGP, has put framework contract arrangements in place for major food procurement for the Defence Forces and other public service bodies to try to guarantee value for money. The military authorities have advised the daily ration rate will be reviewed, having regard to the retendering of the OGP food contracts, a process that is under way. PDFORRA has raised the matter and its views will be taken into account in that regard. Of course soldiers need to be well fed, given the role they need to play. The review will take that into account.

On the issue of houses at the Curragh, we did make a policy decision several years ago to move away from residential quarters, if one likes, or married quarters on or in barracks. There are no plans to change that policy. The commission did not propose change in that respect. I am told the houses to which the Deputy is referring are not habitable. They are run down and quite derelict and would need to be significantly upgraded if we were to allow people to live there. That is not the plan at the moment.