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

Over the period 2020 to 2024, the combined budget has increased from €1,040 million to €1,250 million, an increase of €210 million, amounting to an increase of over 20% in that period. The increases are available in tabular form, which the Deputy can get in the various aspects of the Revised Estimates Volume.

On using capital, there was a practice in the Department where revenue was used. We are looking to see if we can do that again this year. We are heading in an upward trajectory in terms of capital this year. We have also put additional directives to the Defence Forces that we want to increase recruitment over and above what might have been put forward. We are really stretching the targets on recruitment on the current side.

On the capital side, we will have a sufficiency of capital to not only deal with what we have already committed to but also newer projects and, critically, with increases in 2025 and 2026. However, a lot depends on capacity, procurement and getting projects to the stage where they are in a position to draw down.

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