Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

29. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which current expenditure of his Department for 2019 is off target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38425/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Defence Vote Group, comprising of the Defence and Army Pensions Votes, was provided with a current funding envelope of some €901 million in 2019. This allocation provides for the pay and allowances for over 10,400 public service employees, ongoing Defence Forces operational and standing costs, funding in respect of Civil Defence and the Irish Red Cross Society and funding for some 12,400 Army Pensioners and certain dependants.

Defence Vote Group current expenditure at end-August was €561 million, representing 62% of the total provision. This is broadly in line with expenditure trends in recent years. At end-August, overall Defence Group current expenditure was €26 million below the profile set out at the beginning of the year, mainly due to payroll numbers being below approved strength levels. Army Pensions expenditure was slightly above profile.

My Department will continue to monitor all expenditure across the Defence Vote Group very closely. It is intended that any savings arising within the Defence Vote at year-end would, in consultation and agreement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, be used to address spending requirements elsewhere in the Defence Vote Group, including Army Pensions.