BUDGET 2016: €66m for Defence Forces equipment

A total of €66 million will be spent on purchasing and maintaining equipment for the army, naval service and air corps next year.

It marks the start of a major re-investment which will see the upgrading and replacement of Moag heavy armoured cars/ troop transporters, the upgrading of the air corps headquarters at Baldonnell, the arrival of new planes, and the upgrading of army barracks.

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said the €66m was solely for 2016 and, by the end of 2021, a total of €437m would be spent on upgrading buildings and equipment.

Around €224m of the total defence budget — around 25% — will be earmarked for pensions for 12,100 retired personnel. A further €2m will be available for a permanent emergency aeromedical service which will be of benefit, in particular, for people living in remote areas.

PDforra, which represents enlisted personnel, said the small increase in the overall budget from €898m this year would make it difficult to carry out a number of planned works.

Its general secretary Gerry Rooney said a review of technicians’ pay was under way and a planned general review of the structure of Defence Forces pay was in the offing.

“It’s a very small increase and it will make our claims and pay reviews into the future very difficult,” he said.

Mr Coveney maintained the budget would enable the Defence Forces to undertake their roles with professionalism and dedication.

“We have had a very good outcome from the capital plan announced recently, where, over the next six years, we will see an increase in capital expenditure for Defence to a total of €437m over the life of the capital investment plan.”

He said the budget would allow Ireland to continue to deliver on all roles prescribed for the Defence Forces, at home and overseas. In particular, he highlighted the role played by the navy in the Mediterranean. “The people of Ireland can truly be proud of the work the Naval Service has done and is continuing to do and I wish them every continued success with their work. This is in addition to the ongoing high standard of performance by the Defence Forces on other overseas missions and in their various security roles at home.”

He said the increase in the budget will allow for ongoing recruitment and re-affirmed his commitment to maintain the strength of the permanent Defence Forces at 9,500.