Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

325. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will seek to have the plaque at the monument to the Defence Forces in Merrion Square, Dublin 2 amended to correct the misspelling of the word emanate which appears as eminate. [27857/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Memorial to members of the Defence Forces who died in the service of the State was unveiled at a ceremony in November 2008. The ceremony was led by the then President, Mrs. Mary McAleese, who laid a wreath at the memorial.

The memorial which is situated in a prominent position close to Dáil Éireann and to Government Buildings was designed by Mr. Brian King. It is a pyramid shape made primarily of granite slabs resting on a steel frame interspaced with toughened glass panels. Four Defence Force personnel in relief are cast in bronze, representing the Air Corps, Army and Naval Service and the Reserve. The sentries stand to attention guarding the eternal flame that emanates from the Defence Forces Badge at the centre of the structure.

This memorial stands as public recognition of the contribution and sacrifice made by members of the Defence Forces whether at home or on peace support operations overseas.

With regard to the Deputy's specific enquiry, I can advise that my Department is currently investigating the matter but it has not been possible in the time available to prepare a substantive response on the matter.

A substantive response to the question raised will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

326. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the companies which supply helmets and uniform equipment to the Defence Forces; and the amount spent on this equipment per year for the past ten years. [27874/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible. This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process.

In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas. Budget 2021 provides a Capital allocation of €131m for investment in Defence equipment and barracks infrastructure and will enable continued investment in major equipment platforms such as Defence Forces vehicle fleet. The increased capital funding for 2021 builds on increased levels of capital expenditure totalling €392m over the years 2018 – 2020.

Helmets, uniforms and other personal military equipment are important contributors to capability and personal protection. The replacement or renewal of such items are progressed in a planned way having regard to usage levels, availability of suitable replacements, obsolescence and changing operational requirements.

With regard to investment in helmets, there have been two (2) contracts for the supply of helmets for Special Operations Forces personnel. For operational and security purposes it is not possible to provide the detailed information required by the Deputy. The aggregate spend on helmets for the period in question was €345,366.38 inclusive of VAT.

Of more significant scale and in accordance with the Equipment Development Planning prioritisation process, a tender competition is being advanced for the purchase of a new operational general service helmet with enhanced protective and operational functions for general issue within the Defence Forces. These general service helmets will replace the current helmets in use by the Defence Forces. It is intended that this purchase will be by way of a public procurement competition. More details will be available when the competition is published to the market.

With regard to investment in uniforms, the Defence Forces has two contracts in place under Office of Government Procurement Framework arrangements for the supply of Operational and Ceremonial uniforms. The Table below provides a breakdown of the companies and expenditure involved over the specified timeframe for these.

Table Uniforms