Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the costs that were involved in the scoping work that was carried out on the proposal for the peace and leadership institute in the Curragh; the budget allocated for the feasibility study that is being progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26314/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is aware that the White Paper on Defence included a commitment to evaluating the potential development of a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre in The Curragh. Also, the Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment to developing this Institute. It is foreseen that the new Institute will have international standing and contribute to the overall development of knowledge and experience in the areas of peace support, leadership and conflict resolution.

Scoping work was carried out on the proposal throughout 2016. A concept paper was developed and some initial consultation with national and international third level and research institutes and potential philanthropic contributors also took place. The costs of the scoping work were minimal and were absorbed by my Department’s existing payroll costs, i.e. they did not result in any additional public expense.

Arising from the initial scoping work, it has been decided to now conduct a formal feasibility study. The terms of reference for this feasibility study have been finalised recently and the next step is to tender seeking proposals to carry out this study. The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to indicate at this stage what that estimated cost may be, as to do so might influence responses to the request for tenders.