Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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233. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if refurbishment works on block C at Stephen's Barracks, Kilkenny have commenced; the estimated timeframe for these works to be completed; and the estimated costs for this refurbishment. [27622/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On foot of my visit to Stephen's Barracks earlier this year, I instructed my officials to prioritise the refurbishment works of Block C in Stephens Barracks, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a contract was awarded to Marlhill Construction Services Ltd last week. Works will commence on site shortly and the project is expected to take 7 months to complete at an estimated cost of €0.5m.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In July 2022, the Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces. As part of that decision the Government committed to increasing the Defence budget from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion by 2028, as part of the annual budgetary process. This level of investment will allow for the required transformation and investment in recruitment, equipment and infrastructure that was identified by the Commission.

The annual Defence budget allocation is determined within the overarching budgetary framework, and approved by Dáil Eireann having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements. It is within this context that the annual Defence budget, for 2024 and subsequent years, will be determined, with the estimates process for 2024 set to commence shortly.

For 2023, the total overall gross allocation provided to the Defence Group budget, as set out in Budget 2023, is €1.21 billion, comprising of over €915 million on the Defence Vote and over €294 million on the Army Pensions Vote. This significant allocation represents an overall increase of €93 million on 2022 and comprises of an increase of €35 million in the capital allocation and €58 million in the current allocation across the Vote Group.

The significant additional funding allocated in Budget 2023 across current and capital expenditure categories will further enable the Defence Forces to deliver effectively on all its key domestic and international responsibilities, enhance our national and international security capability and facilitate ongoing investment and transformation in the Defence Forces, as recommended by the Commission. It also highlights the positive commitment of Government to providing a strong financial platform for the transformation of the Defence Forces as we move towards the commencement of Estimates 2024 discussions over the coming months.