Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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354. To ask the Minister for Defence the current and capital funding allocated to his Department; the underspend or overspend in 2015 to date, under each category, based on his Department's spending profile; the funding made available, within and external to, his Department's functions to support innovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30122/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The gross current and capital funding allocation for my Department for 2015 and the expenditure position at the end of June is set out below.

Expenditure at the end of June is below profile on the Defence Vote and ahead of profile on the Army Pensions Vote. It is projected that expenditure for the year will be broadly in line with the overall allocation.

While my Department does not have specific funding set aside to support innovation, the Defence Organisation, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, engages with Irish based enterprise and research institutes that are involved in activities related to Defence Forces capability development. The primary objective of this initiative is to support Defence Forces capability development for crisis management through the application of new and innovative technology and research. The application of such technology and research in the defence domain also supports innovation, growth and jobs in Irish industry, particularly for companies and institutions operating in the security and defence (dual-use) sector.