Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his key priorities in the forthcoming capital review; the projects submitted for priority inclusion in the review; the status of negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2287/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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A capital plan for the period 2018 to 2027 is being developed under the National Planning Framework. My Department is engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that this plan includes the appropriate level of capital investment to enable the Defence Organisation to deliver effectively on all their assigned roles, as set out in the 2015 White Paper on Defence.

For the period 2018 to 2021, the capital funding envelope for Defence will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, as set out in the White Paper. Projects prioritised for inclusion are as follows:

- Mid-life upgrade of the Army Mowag APC armoured fleet;

- Ongoing Naval vessel replacement programme;

- Mid-life refit of the Naval Service vessels LÉ Niamh and LÉ Roisín;

- Replacement of the Air Corps Cessna Aircraft;

- CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft  Replacement Programme;

- Ongoing investment in the modernisation and renewal of barrack infrastructure;

- Investment in additional force protection measures.

Such funding will play a vital role in ensuring that the priorities identified in the White Paper can be met and that the Defence Forces can deliver fully on the roles assigned by Government.