Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated amount it would cost in a full year if the capital budget for Defence Forces built infrastructure, construction and maintenance increased by 15%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6245/20]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2020 provides for a Capital allocation of €20 million, for Subhead A.13 - Defence Forces Built Infrastructure; Construction and Maintenance - in the Defence Vote.

This Capital allocation will facilitate the progression of a significant number of Defence Forces Built Infrastructure projects in various military installations located throughout the country.

I published a comprehensive list of individual priority projects in the ‘Defence Forces 5 year Infrastructure Programme 2020 – 2025’, which waspublished on my Department’s website earlier this year. This programme implements the policy approach contained in the White Paper on Defence to enhance Defence physical infrastructure and accommodation as an important component of defence capability.

The full year cost of increasing this Capital budget by 15% would be €3 million in simple numerical terms.  Any increased funding provided for Defence infrastructural investment would be progressed based on the priorities in the five year Infrastructure Programme and taking account of on-going and future Defence Organisational capabilities and resources.