Written answers

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

44. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the implementation of the White Paper on Defence. [34680/21]

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

The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon and covers all aspects of defence within the broader security policy framework. Since publication of the White Paper, a total of 95 separate projects have been identified for completion over a ten-year period. To provide flexibility, projects may be sub-divided or merged, changing the top-line number. Project and Programme Management Governance arrangements were put in place to monitor the ongoing status of individual projects and to review the scope of projects within the programme.

Following on from the White Paper Update 2019 and the Government’s High Level Implementation Plan to implement the Report of the Public Service Pay Commission, senior civil and military management have concluded a review of the projects which has resulted in reprioritisation of certain projects. This takes account of work that is progressing across the organisation which has been contributing to implementation of the White Paper.

The review of progress on all projects has led to the approval of an updated White Paper Programme Implementation Roadmap. Of the initial 95 projects, 47 are now formally completed and closed with an additional 3 in the closing process. The objectives and outputs of a number of these closed projects are now being addressed through the High Level Implementation Plan and its' associated projects, others are ongoing as part of the Defence Organisation’s normal business processes. A further 14 projects related to the Defence Forces Reserve will be considered post-Commission on the Defence Forces. 12 projects are currently active with a further 4 due to be initiated during 2021 and the remaining 15 projects to be initiated during 2022 and 2023.

Work in certain areas will in its nature continue beyond 2025 in order to ensure that changes, improvements and actions envisaged in the White Paper are fully implemented and are embedded in the day to day business of the Defence Organisation. Implementation of all of the projects is being carried out on a phased basis through the use of a project management framework with each being managed by a joint Civil-Military Project Team. The overall process is being kept under on-going review and will be subject to change as issues arise and other business dictates.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.