Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the question and I want to outline the significant progress we have made in recent years in improving the Defence Forces' built infrastructure. Since taking office I have made a point of visiting several military installations and I have witnessed at first hand the improvements being made and the positive impact these improvements make to our personnel. Since its launch in 2020, there has been a rapid roll-out of projects from the plan. The updated plan estimates infrastructure requirements to be in the region of some €300 million for the coming years and there are currently over €130 million worth of projects under way at different stages of development. At present there are 18 active construction sites providing modernised facilities for our personnel throughout the country.

The 2023 allocation stands at €45 million, and taken together with the maintenance allocation of €10 million, this represents the biggest yearly allocation towards the building programme. Some of the most notable projects progressing this year include: construction of a new military medical facility at Casement Aerodrome; upgrade of office accommodation at McKee Barracks; upgrade of former USAC block, Galway; upgrade of block 4 accommodation, Haulbowline; new communications and information services, CIS, workshop facility and a purpose-built ARW facility at the Defence Forces training centre.

I would also draw attention to a key feature of the plan, which is to target investment at modernising and upgrading accommodation facilities for personnel. Since the plan was launched, completed accommodation projects have provided 365 bed spaces at several barracks around the country. There are more accommodation projects planned for 2024 and beyond. Taken together these projects will provide several hundred bed spaces for serving personnel. I am sure the Deputy will agree that taken together this represents significant progress and illustrates my firm commitment to improving conditions for our personnel. The Deputy can be assured that I have impressed upon my officials and senior military management the imperative of maintaining and building on the momentum we have witnessed in recent years.

See this speech in context