Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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274. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the long-term plans for Cathal Brugha Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5615/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware Cathal Brugha Barracks is the only operational military installation in Dublin City and no decision has been taken on the relocation of Defence Forces' operations from Cathal Brugha Barracks.

I can confirm that in the context of the Housing for All Plan, my Department will, with the assistance of the military authorities, engage consultants to carry out a cost-benefit analysis and feasibility study in relation to the viability of relocating Cathal Brugha Barracks to another city centre location or location on the outskirts of Dublin City.

It should be noted that this is an exploratory exercise, the purpose of which is to allow for the identification of all the implications and practicalities of such a possible relocation. The completion of the study will facilitate an informed debate on the feasibility, costs and indeed the practicality of a relocation of DF operations from Cathal Brugha Barracks.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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275. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the expenditure on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear suits by his Department in 2019 or 2020 and 2021; if Ireland’s existing stock of suits have been replaced having been previously identified as a priority acquisition under the equipment development plan process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5642/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Framework for Major Emergency Management the Defence Forces can be tasked in aid of Civil Power to provide operational support in a response to a national chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident in order to mark, cordon, monitor, measure, decontaminate, retrieve and dispose of any CBRN devices and matter so found. Additionally, the Defence Forces in the context of overseas deployments may be required to operate in CBRN environments.

To that end a stock of CBRN suits to enable this capability is maintained by the Defence Forces. The existing stock was last acquired in 2006 and is due for replacement. Whilst no new suits have been purchased 2019 to 2021 inclusive, the program for a replacement has advanced and following market engagement, the trialling and testing necessary to underpin the program, has commenced.

The outcome of this very important phase will serve to better inform the Defence Forces Ordnance Corps regarding the critical specification required for the new suits in order to ensure that Defence Forces personnel will be equipped with suits that meet international safety standards.

While there was no direct expenditure in 2019, 2020 and in 2021 on CBRN suits the sum of €618,956 (as tabulated below) has been spent on essential CBRN platforms and ancillaries during that period in order to maintain CBRN capability.

Table 1 – CBRN Support Expenditure: