Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which all branches of the Defence Forces are adequately equipped and supplied in order to participate as necessary in overseas deployment, search and rescue missions, coastal reconnaissance or any emergencies of a natural or other nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47104/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments.

The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process.  The principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements, including response to security risks and other emergencies, both at home and overseas.

The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects which will be progressed over a five year period. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrades and has been developed to ensure that the Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas. 

I am committed to update and upgrade the Defence Forces equipment and capability, having regard to the financial envelope available.  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. The increased capital funding for 2021 builds on increased levels of capital expenditure totalling €392m over the years 2018 – 2020.  

The level of capital funding available will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and builds on the significant investment programme over recent years.

 The Government has established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months.   The work of the Commission encompasses the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing, and their report will inform decisions regarding the the future development of the Defence Forces.