Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The response by my Department to the Covid-19 pandemic has involved Permanent Defence Force personnel, Civil Servants, Civilian Employees, members of the Reserve and Civil Defence Volunteers and has amounted to expenditure of some €18.2 million, to date.

Expenditure was incurred across a range of areas and included €5.2 million towards the acquisition of a new PC-12 utility aircraft which was used to provide additional fixed-wing capacity response and support to the HSE, as required; some €6.5 million in respect of additional Allowance payments to Defence Forces personnel; some €5.5 million in respect of additional Medical, Engineering, Building, Personal Protective Equipment, Audio-Visual and Transport costs across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service and some €0.4 million in respect of additional Civil Defence costs.

In addition, investment of some €0.6 million in Information and Communications Technology has facilitated remote working and other operational efficiencies across the Department and has ensured ongoing business continuity throughout a very challenging period.

All Covid-19 related expenditure has been met from within the overall Defence (Vote 36) allocation and reflects the positive contribution made by the Defence Organisation in reacting to this crisis.