Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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337. To ask the Minister for Defence the reason that current net voted expenditure in his Department was €32 million behind profile at the end of October 2013; if he expects this underspend to continue to the end of 2013; if any unspent allocation will be available for any other programmes in 2013; if he anticipates that any underspend in 2013 will be greater than the level of cuts his Department made in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47908/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Current expenditure on the Defence Vote is lower than profiled at the end of October 2013. However, there are significant spending commitments for the remainder of the year. In addition, the Army Pensions Vote will require a supplementary estimate of some €10m. It is expected that this will be offset by savings on the Defence Vote.

Overall, it is not expected that, when taken together, there will be any significant underspend on the Defence and Army Pensions Votes by year-end.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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338. To ask the Minister for Defence the reason that capital net voted expenditure in his Department was €2 million behind profile at the end of October 2013; if he expects this underspend to continue to the end of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47909/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The variance between profiled and actual capital expenditure within the Defence Vote at the end of October 2013 is largely due to some of the more significant works projects not progressing as originally scheduled. The factors which led to the initial delays have been addressed and the projects are now underway. Progress on capital projects is reviewed on an ongoing basis and, where unforeseen delays arise on particular projects, other minor capital works projects are brought forward, insofar as is possible. In addition, my Department has applied for a deferred surrender of capital funds to 2014 to meet commitments which will not mature before year-end, due to the delays referred to above. At this point, it is expected that the remaining funding for 2013 will be substantially spent by year end.