Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak tonight.

Both at home and abroad, members of the Defence Forces continue to serve the nation with pride and distinction. It is an organisation that Irish people hold dear. It is only fitting that budget 2019 reflects the Government's commitment to the Defence Forces.

The Defence Forces are unique. Whatever emergency may arise, the organisation stand ready. On all occasions, whether during the most recent storms, flooding, snow or the Pope's visit, members of the Irish Defence Forces have excelled. As Minister of State with responsibility for defence, I have seen that at first hand.

Next year, almost €1 billion will be provided to the Defence Forces organisation, representing an increase of €47.5 million or 5% on last year's budget. The budget also sees an additional €29 million set aside for capital expenditure. This significant contribution will allow us as a Government to invest heavily in equipment, military barracks and facilities in every military installation in the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps.

I am pleased to inform the House that, in 2019 alone, we will spend €109 million on armoured vehicles, aircraft and barracks. In additional, I have invested more than €11 million in the acquisition of other armoured vehicles to increase force protection for Defence Forces personnel serving overseas. Twenty-four armoured utility vehicles have been acquired from Centigon, a French company, and ten armoured logistical vehicles are on order for delivery by the end of 2018 from an Irish company, Westward Scania Ireland. Five of these armoured trucks have been delivered and the next five are due to be delivered in a number of weeks. The combination of all these efforts will enhance force protection for our personnel and will be a key enabler for overseas missions.

The level of capital funding in budget 2019 will allow the Defence Forces 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 White Paper on Defence 2015 and ensure the Defence Forces have the capabilities necessary to deliver on all the roles assigned by Government.

With regard to the modernisation and renewal of Defence Forces built infrastructure, the following projects are ongoing or will commence in 2019: ordnance storage facilities in the Defence Forces training centre, Curragh Camp, County Kildare; training facilities and gyms and gym equipment in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick and Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny; accommodation facilities in the Defence Forces training centre, the Curragh Camp and Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin; an accommodation upgrade in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, County Dublin; catering facilities in Custume Barracks, Athlone; and the upgrade of fuel storage safety system in the naval base, Haulbowline. Many other projects will begin in 2019.

The 2019 allocation will allow Defence Forces personnel to continue to meet Government commitments on our overseas peace support missions. As of 1 October 2018, Ireland is contributing 616 personnel to many different missions throughout the world, including the deployment of Naval Service personnel engaged in the Naval Service EU naval mission, Operation Sophia, in the Mediterranean. Irish troops serving overseas represent our country with professionalism, dedication, distinction and courage and it is important for me, as the Minister of State with responsibility for the Defence Forces, to let them know that Ireland is proud of them and thank them for their service.

While I am proud of our investment in equipment, we will also continue to invest in our people, the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann. The 2019 gross pay allocation of €515.6 million provides for the pay and allowances of 9,500 members of the Permanent Defence Force, 550 civilian employees and 355 civil servants in the Department of Defence. Budget 2019 also provides for an extra €6 million to continue the increases in Defence Forces pay as provided for under the public service stability programme. This runs parallel with a range of other mechanisms under which pay is being addressed. The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the agreement. The first increase, due from 1 January 2018, has been paid to Permanent Defence Force, PDF, personnel and a second increase was applied from 1 October 2018. Further increases in pay are scheduled for 2019 and 2020.

New entrants to the Defence Forces will also benefit from the measures recently announced relating to amendments to the pay scales for new entrant public servants recruited since January 2011.

As I mentioned, an allocation of over €6 million has being provided in the 2019 Estimate to meet these increases.

I must also mention the ongoing work in the Public Service Pay Commission which, at my request, is prioritising matters such as recruitment and retention within the Defence Forces. This is following a joint submission from civil and military management. I look forward to the commission submitting its proposals, which will form the basis for moving forward. Budget 2019 demonstrates our ongoing commitment to veterans and their families. Some €10 million in increased funding is being provided for pensions.

I have made it very clear on many occasions that there are many challenges within the Defence Forces. I would be the first to acknowledge them. These are challenges that I, as Minister of State, am meeting head on. I am determined to fix the problems. Budget 2019 demonstrates our commitment as a Government to ensuring we continue to develop the Defence Forces investment in people and equipment. As Minister of State, I will continue to ensure we make progress on the issues affecting our serving personnel.

It would be very remiss of me tonight not to mention the many other positive measures in the budget. I refer to sports capital funding, town and village funding, social welfare increases and the housing allocation of €2.3 billion, the largest investment ever in housing. We all know the Government faces a huge challenge regarding housing. The Minister responsible, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, will meet that challenge head on.

We must also consider the area of Brexit. Every decision made by this Government has taken account of Brexit. Reference must also be made to our investment in the health service.

There is a myth that rural Ireland is in decline. Just this week I was happy to announce, in conjunction with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, funding for towns and villages in my constituency. Parishes and villages are receiving from €30,000 to €200,000: Barntown, Wexford, is receiving €100,000; Blackwater, €200,000; Clongeen, €100,000; Galbally, €100,000; Courtnacuddy; €32,000; Ferns, €99,000; Kilmore, €200,000; Murrintown, €74,000; and Saltmills, €85,000.

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