Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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189. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made to date on implementing the Defence Forces built infrastructure plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29069/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 (IDP) was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. Over the course of the programme it is projected that some €145m will be allocated to ensure programme delivery.

This year’s allocation of €37m to both building projects and maintenance projects represents a significant increase over previous years and is the highest level allocated since the economic crash in 2008/09.

The following projects were delivered/completed in 2020: –

2020 Capital Infrastructure Accomplishments- Completed Projects

- Upgrade and refurbishment works to the Apprentice Hostel in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin; €3.3 million

- Upgrade of 1 and 2 Blocks Accommodation facilities at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin; €2.8 million

- Upgrade of 7 Block Accommodation facility in Connolly Barracks at the Defence Forces Training Centre; € 2 million

- Upgrade of the Oil Wharf and installation of Fire Detection and Firefighting System at the Naval Base, Haulbowline; €2.9m.

The following projects are at various stages from design team planning to construction for progression from 2021 onwards:

The IDP is intended to be a rolling plan and to ensure relevancy is maintained the plan provides for annual reviews over its lifespan. The first annual review was recently completed and the following six projects are included in the plan for 2026 progression.

1. Stephens Bks, Kilkenny- Construction of a New locker facility

2. McKee -CIS Office Accommodation Consolidation

3. DFTC - New Bonded Warehouse Building

4. DFTC - Military Medical facility and Medical School Upgrde

5. Casement – Central Locker Block - upgrade Building 12

6. Haulbowline - Main Workshops Dockyard

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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190. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29070/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government committed to an independent Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces and to include the following matters:

- Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea.

- Structure and size of the Defence Forces encompassing capabilities, structures and staffing.

- Appropriate governance and high level command and control.

- Pay and allowances structures.

- Recruitment, retention and career progression.

- Leverage the capabilities of the Reserve Defence Force in their supports to the Permanent Defence Force and make service in the RDF more attractive.

This independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Government also approved the Terms of Reference, based on the Programme for Government, and the membership of the Commission.The Commission’s overall approach will be guided and informed by both the White Paper on Defence 2015 and the White Paper Update 2019.

As part of a broader consultation process, the Commission invited submissions from individuals and organisations on issues relevant to its Terms of Reference. The Commission received over 500 submissions which it is currently analysing.

The Commission has been established as an independent body and, while it is a matter entirely for the Commission, I understand that the Commission has met with a broad stakeholder group including the Defence Forces Representative Associations, commissioned and enlisted members of the Defence Forces, senior officials and personnel from my Department and the Defence Forces as well as other groups. Site visits to Military locations by members of the Commission has already taken place and I understand that further site visits have been scheduled if Covid restrictions permit.

The Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Aidan O'Driscoll, also met with members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on the 20th April to discuss the on-going work of the Commission. Following the work of the Commission the Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a Permanent Pay Review body for the Defence Forces which must be consistent with national public sector wage policy.

The establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces underpins the Government's commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision beyond 2030. The Commission is to submit its report by the end of the year and it will be considered fully at that time.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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191. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department will assist with Kildare County Council’s investigation in relation to dumping at Donnelly's Hollow on the Curragh to prevent the local authority from making unnecessary expenditure on legal action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29074/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since this occurrence in 2017, officials from both my Department and the local authority have been in regular and continuing contact with a view to resolving this matter to the satisfaction of all parties. I am advised that Kildare County Council has acknowledged that the results of the environmental assessment carried out on the site adjacent to Donnelly's Hollow show no evidence of any environmental pollution at that location.

The Deputy can be assured that my officals are continuing to engage with the local authority on the issue.