John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 777: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will publish the details of the capital projects being initiated during 2008 by his Department and planned for the following four years; the estimate of the final cost of the projects in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise the living, training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces both Permanent and Reserve. The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. Since 1999 over €250 million has been expended on the programme. Estimated expenditure this year is €29.6 million including a carryover of €3 million savings from 2007. The following are the capital projects with an estimated cost of €500,000 or more which have already commenced in 2008 or which will commence later this year:

The capital programme for the next four years is currently being reviewed in the light of the proposed relocation of Defence Forces Headquarters to the Curragh under the Government's decentralisation programme. Annual expenditure during that period is expected to be in the region of €30 million. Capital expenditure by my Department and the Defence Forces on communications and information technology systems and equipment is estimated at €4.5m in 2008. Annual expenditure for the following four years is expected to be about €5 million-€6 million.