Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

224. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of accommodation units by the Defence Forces, the number currently in use; the plans for the development of new accommodation for officers and enlisted personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7178/25]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

225. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount invested into improving barracks accommodation each year since 2016; the number of units each year that were refurbished; the number planned for refurbishment over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7179/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.

The Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery to support the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper 2015. The programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for accommodation and training of personnel, as well as the maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and airborne operational requirements.

In respect of the years 2016 and 2017, I can advise the Deputy that there was a major capital investment of €471,521 for the renovation of Blocks 7 and 8 in Collins Barracks for the provision of accommodation.

With the introduction of the IDP, a sustained targeted capital investment in improving accommodation is now underway, as illustrated in the table below :

Refurbishment of Block 4, Haulbowline

Refurbishment of Block 1, Collins Barracks

Modular Accommodation, Casement Aerodrome

Upgrade of Block A, Gormanston Camp

Refurbishment of Old Comms Cadet Accommodation, Haulbowline

Refurbishment of Cadets Mess Accommodation, Haulbowline

New Accommodation Block, Gormanston Camp

Refurbishment of Blocks A, B & D – Stephens Barracks

Refurbishment of C House, Cathal Brugha Barracks

New Student Accommodation Facility, DFTC

Refurbishment of Ceannt Block 1, DFTC

My Department also allocates funding each year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This year the devolved budget of €12.5 million was assigned to the Defence Forces by my Department. The individual prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.

In addition, there are currently 153 Defence Forces residential type properties that are or have been used for accommodating serving personnel, traditionally termed as "Married Quarters". Currently, three (3) are vacant and seventy-nine (79) are classed as uninhabitable. None of the uninhabitable properties can be brought up to a habitable standard without significant work, and many of these properties were built prior to the introduction of building regulations. As such, considerable work is needed to bring them up to modern standards.

The Defence Forces commissioned Consultants to assess the condition of the Defence Forces uninhabitable housing stock and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. A report has recently been submitted to my Department for its assessment. Once my officials and the Defence Forces have considered the contents, they will submit recommendations to me on the remediation programme to be undertaken.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

226. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if refurbished barracks accommodation are being fitted with solar panels; if the investment in Collins Barracks, Cork will include the installation of solar panels or other energy efficient technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7180/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since the inception of the Infrastructure Development Plan, my Department has made considerable efforts to ensure that as many defence infrastructure projects as reasonably possible are fitted with either solar panels or other energy-efficient technologies. All projects being now undertaken include renewable measures in line with the requirements introduced under the relevant building regulations.

While neither the New Accommodation Block in Collins Barracks, which was completed last year, nor the more recent contract for the refurbishment of Collins Block 1, have solar panels installed, both projects have heat pumps included as part of this energy efficiency programme.

The Deputy may also wish to know that the following projects which are under construction will have the relevant renewable measures incorporated as part of this programme:

• Refurbishment of Block 4, Haulbowline - Heat Pumps to be installed
• Refurbishment of Block 1, Collins Barracks- Heat Pumps to be installed
• Modular Accommodation, Casement Aerodrome- Heat Pumps to be installed
• Upgrade of Block A, Gormanston Camp- Solar Panels to be installed.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

227. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacant or derelict housing units or barracks accommodation owned the Defence Forces, by location; the plans in place for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7181/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are currently three (3) vacant and seventy-nine (79) uninhabitable such housing units that are in the following locations: Cork, eleven (11); Dublin, eight (8), Kildare, sixty-three (63). None of the uninhabitable properties can be brought up to a habitable standard without significant work, and many of these properties were built prior to the introduction of building regulations. As such, considerable work will be needed to bring them up to modern standards.

The Defence Forces commissioned consultants to assess the condition of the Defence Forces uninhabitable housing stock and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. A report has recently been submitted to my Department for its assessment. Once my officials and the Defence Forces have considered the contents, they will submit recommendations to me on the remediation programme to be undertaken.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

228. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will move speedily to bring forward the 2028 deadline for the completion of Level of Ambition 2, as outlined in the Commission of the Defence Forces, given the European Council’s declaration of 3 February 2025 and his subsequent public comments on security and defence. [7253/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.

At the Informal EU leaders' retreat of 3rd February last, EU leaders discussed key aspects relating to European defence, including the development of collective capabilities, how best to use the EU budget and mobilise private funding, as well as how to strengthen strategic partnerships.

The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covered high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.

The Commission created a framework focused around three tiers of level of ambition (LOA): LOA1 current capability, LOA2 enhanced capability, and LOA3 conventional capability.

The Commission recognised that any proposal to move to LOA3 could only be considered in the context of a step-up, in the first instance, to LOA2 and following a comprehensive review of Ireland’s defence policy.

The Commission recommended that the chosen level of ambition be clearly and credibly linked to the budget provided annually and over the period to 2030.

Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken with a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government brought to Government and approved on July 12th 2022. This involved the approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2) by 2028, as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. The move to LOA2 is due to be complete by 2028. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission.

The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, was published on the 21st of November 2023. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to LOA 2 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across:

• Strategic HR and Cultural Change;
• New Command and Control and Joint Structures to be established;
• Services to be reformed and restructured;
• Reserve Defence Force to be revitalised; and
• Joint Capability Development to be implemented