Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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29. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the refurbishment works that were carried out at Finner Camp in the years of 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025; if each of those refurbishment works project are completed or still ongoing at present, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17682/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The capital allocation for building works in military installations and barracks across the country for the last five years was some €170m. This year the capital allocation stands at €50m for capital investment. 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 relation to the Finner Camp refurbishment works carried out for the timeframe period requested is as follows:

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on progress towards achieving the high-level goal for the Defence Forces, as set out in the Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2023 - 2026: "to provide for the military defence of the State, contribute to national and international peace and security and fulfil all other roles assigned by Government”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17820/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, the Secretary General is required to submit a new Strategy Statement, for Ministerial approval, within six months of the appointment of a new Minister. The current Strategy Statement was formally approved in October 2023 and covers the period 2023 to 2026 and a new Strategy Statement is currently being prepared by my Department.

Since 2023, substantial progress has been achieved in fulfilling the high-level goal for the Department and the Defence Forces, as set out in the Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2023 - 2026 including the publication of a number of policy documents which include the Independent Review Group (IRG) Report, the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the Strategic Framework.

The ‘Defence Policy Review – Adjusting and affirming our Defence Policy in an era of change’ was published in June 2024 and is the latest in the fixed cycle of defence reviews. This policy update addresses the significant changes in Ireland's security environment and outlines the country's defence strategy up to 2028 and sets the direction for defence provision into the future. The Defence Policy Review highlighted the Government prioritization of Maritime Security which led to the creation of a new Maritime Security Unit within the Department of Defence.

Legislative changes saw the establishment on a statutory basis of the External Oversight Body in line with the recommendations arising from the IRG Report. The Civil Defence Act commenced in July 2023 and 2024 saw the enactment of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024, the signing of the European Union (Resilience of Critical Entities) Regulation 2024.

The importance placed on the Defence sector was further reflected in Budget 2025, in which

a record allocation of €1.35 billion in Defence funding was made - an increase of €100

million compared to Budget 2024, and includes funding for the recruitment of net 400 additional Defence Forces members this year. This significant level of funding will enable further progress in the efforts to enhance and transform the Defence Forces into a modern, fit for purpose organisation, to defend the State, and meet the challenges of today and the future.

Human resource improvements include an extension of the mandatory retirement age for Permanent Defence Force personnel to 62 and the maximum recruitment age to 39 were also introduced, and both are measures that will help retain experienced personnel and assist in the training of new recruits. Other important measures include the establishment of a Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston, removing the blanket exemption to the Working time Directive for military personnel and healthcare afforded to officer ranks has now been extended to enlisted ranks. The starting pay for Privates after 24 weeks taring is now €41,465 per annum and for Graduate Cadet on commissioning €50,677 and a School Leaver Cadet will be on €45,341.

In terms of procurement, my Department commissioned two new Naval Service Inshore Patrol Vessels, L.É. Aoibhinn and L.É. Gobnait, in 2024 and received delivery of two new Airbus C-295W Maritime Patrol Aircraft in 2023, with another C-295 transport variant due for delivery this year. In relation to the MOWAG Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) midlife upgrade (74 completed with a further 6 underway), and a contract has been signed to acquire four new light utility military helicopters for delivery in 2027. These are just some of the capabilities procured exemplifying the increased investment in defence which will be increased over the coming years.

Significant expenditure has been made on infrastructure including the upgrade of accommodation at various locations, such as the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Collins Bks, Cork, USAC, Galway and Casement Aerodrome. Development of Gymnasium works at Finner Camp, Casement Aerodrome, Haulbowline Naval Base and Renmore Barrack and many other infrastructure programmes are taking place across the country.

On the international front, my Department and the Defence Forces continue to engage proactively with the UN, the EU, the OSCE and NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP). Defence Forces’ personnel continued their peacekeeping role across a number of missions with the largest contingent based in Lebanon. The Defence Forces have also given support to the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) delivering training to a total of 762.

A new Reserve Defence Force Vision and Reserve Defence Force Regeneration plan was published in May of last year and the regeneration of the Reserve is a priority going forward.

As Minister for Defence I will continue the large scale improvements required for defence provision in Ireland ensuring the Defence Forces have the resources and capabilities necessary to achieve their high-level goals and deliver on all roles assigned by Government.