Dáil debates

Wednesday, 21 November 2018

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions

Defence Forces Expenditure

10:35 am

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The provision of current expenditure for the defence sector for 2019 is €888 million, which is an increase of 2.1% on the 2018 provision. This comprises €639 million in current funding for Vote 36 - Defence and €249 million in current funding for Vote 35 - Army Pensions. Capital funding of €106 million has also been provided. Overall, the increase in funding for the defence sector for 2019 is 5%.

I am delighted to take this opportunity to set out the 2019 funding position which shows this Government’s commitment to defence, as evidenced by the increased allocation provided for 2019. The total defence sector allocation, including Army pensions, will be €994 million in 2019, an increase of €47.5 million over 2018. This allocation of almost €1 billion emphasises the importance attached by the Government to ensuring that the Defence Forces have the resources necessary to deliver on all roles assigned by Government, both at home and overseas.

Defence Forces pay is continuing to increase in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides for increases in pay, ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over its lifetime. The 2019 allocation includes €6.3 million to meet the commitments for next year. Further increases in pay are scheduled for 2020.

The Government has ensured that full funding has been provided for 2019 for the target strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500, and I continue to engage with the military authorities to ensure that retention and recruitment continue to be prioritised. An additional €2.2 million has been allocated to meet other current costs in the Defence Vote, and a further €10 million has been allocated to the Army Pensions Vote to meet the retirement costs of ex-members of the permanent Defence Force and certain dependants.

In accordance with the national development plan, the capital allocation for defence has been increased to €106 million for 2019, an increase of €29 million. The national development plan provides for a total of €541 million over the period 2018 to 2022. This level of capital funding will allow the defence 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 Defence White Paper, and builds on the significant investment programme over recent years.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

In summary, the allocation for current expenditure, including pay and pension costs, in the defence sector for 2019 has increased by €18.5 million, an increase of 2.1%. This, combined with the increased capital allocation, will give an overall provision of almost €1 billion for next year, illustrating the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces have the capabilities necessary to deliver on all their assigned roles.

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