Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the specific projects which will receive the €29 million in extra capital expenditure in 2019 as outlined in Annex 1 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the amount each project will receive of this €29 million in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31272/18]

Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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125. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the specific projects which will receive the €106 million in capital funding allocated in 2019; the amount each project will receive of the €106 million in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31287/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together.

The National Development Plan 2018 to 2027 provides €541 million in capital funding for Defence for the period 2018 – 2022. The capital amount allocated under the plan for 2019 is €106m, which represents an increase of €29m on the 2018 allocation. This level of funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper.

Among the projects that have been prioritised in the Defence White Paper that will be advanced in 2019 are the following:-

- Maintenance and upgrade programme on the Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) fleet;

- Procurement of Fixed Wing Utility aircraft (Pilatus) as replacement for Cessna aircraft;

- Procurement of replacements of the two CASA 235 Maritime Patrol aircraft;

- Ongoing investment in Naval Service equipment platforms, including mid-life refit of Naval Vessels;

- Ongoing investment in the Defence Forces IT infrastructure;

- Ongoing investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure, including the following specific projects;

- Secure storage compound in Defence Forces Training Centre;

- Accommodation facilities in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin;

- Catering facilities in Custume Barracks, Athlone;

- Upgrade of Apprentice Hostel in Air Corps, Baldonnel.

These projects are multi annual projects and expenditure timeframes are yet to be finalised. Accordingly, the Department is not in a position to provide a more detailed breakdown of the 2019 allocation. However, I am satisfied that the capital allocation for Defence for 2019 and for the period to 2022 will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper.