Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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38. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the 52% increase in capital expenditure envisaged by his Department between 2017 and 2020 and the 2.5% increase in current expenditure envisaged over the same period in view of the recruitment and retention crisis being faced by the Defence Forces as a consequence of pay and conditions in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3347/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Following the mid-term review of the capital plan, ‘Building on Recovery : Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016 – 2021’, Budget 2018 set out the capital envelope for Vote 36 Defence, for the period 2018 – 2021. This provides increased funding for the essential renewal and replacement of equipment and infrastructure. This is critical in ensuring that the Defence Forces retain the capability to deliver on the roles assigned by Government, over the longer term.

Defence current expenditure funding provides for standing and operational costs and pay and allowances for members of the Defence Forces. The Defence Vote is fully funded to meet the full costs of the target strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel. Rates of pay and allowances for the Defence Forces are set, inter alia, by reference to relative levels of pay across the public sector. As provided for under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the Public Service Pay Commission is currently considering recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces.