Minister for Defence has confirmed to Deputy Martin Heydon that funding of in excess of €26m has been invested in major building projects in the Curragh in the period between 2008 and 2017. He was responding to Parliamentary Questions from the Kildare South Deputy.
“While I understand the Defence investment is not measured geographically, I wanted to see the importance of the Curragh and its buildings and projects to the Department.
“Budget 2018 saw a total of €14.2m set aside for infrastructure buildings across the department of defence nationally. In Kildare the Minister confirmed parts of these funds will go towards a number of significant projects at the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare including the replacement of storage facilities at the Ordnance Depot and the refurbishment of accommodation blocks in Pearse Barracks.
“This Minister also confirmed that work was continuing on the plans for an Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh.
“The White Paper on Defence and the Programme for a Partnership Government included commitments to evaluate the potential development of this new Institute. It is recognition of the standing of the Curragh that an Institute with such international standing is being proposed for our area.
“The Minister has advised me that scoping work was carried out on the proposal throughout 2016 and a concept paper was developed with some initial consultation with national and international third level and research institutes and potential philanthropic contributors.
“I welcome that fact that arising from this initial scoping work, it was decided to conduct a formal feasibility study and the evaluation of tenders received in relation to the feasibility study is currently ongoing. “
ENDS
Notes to Editor – Responses to Defence Parliamentary Questions
To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the funding allocated in budget 2018 to current and proposed Defence Forces projects and infrastructure in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
DEPUTY MARTIN HEYDON .
FOR ORAL ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, 18th OCTOBER , 2017.
REPLY
My Department does not provide funding for the Defence Forces on a geographical basis. Where there is a requirement for the upgrade and development of a particular military installation, funding is made available from the Defence Vote.
Built infrastructure projects are developed as part of the ongoing building programme, which is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. The capital element of the building programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings and facilities.
The programme is based on operational requirements and is compiled on a priority basis by my Department in conjunction with the Military Authorities. The anticipated spend on built infrastructure capital projects nationally in 2018 is €14.2m. The funding will provide for a number of significant projects at the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare including the replacement of storage facilities at the Ordnance Depot and the refurbishment of accommodation blocks in Pearse Barracks.
Under the capital building programme, there has been considerable capital investment at the Curragh Camp in recent years. Between 2008 and 2017, my Department has invested in excess of €26m on major building projects at the Camp.
The White Paper on Defence identified the need to develop a rolling five-year capital plan for the provision of future Defence Forces built infrastructure requirements, taking account of the priority needs of the Defence Forces. The process of developing the plan is currently underway and is expected to be finalised by the end of 2017.
MINISTER OF STATE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE (PAUL KEHOE, T.D.)
QUESTION NO: 51
To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for a peace and leadership institute in the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
DEPUTY MARTIN HEYDON .
FOR ORAL ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY , 18th O CTOBER , 2017.
REPLY
As you will be aware from my response to your previous PQ 23328/17 on 17th May 2017, the White Paper on Defence included a commitment to evaluating the potential development of a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre in The Curragh. The Programme for a Partnership Government also included a commitment to developing this Institute. It is foreseen that the new Institute will have international standing and contribute to the overall development of knowledge and experience in the areas of peace support, leadership and conflict resolution.
Scoping work was carried out on the proposal throughout 2016. A concept paper has been developed and some initial consultation with national and international third level and research institutes and potential philanthropic contributors has also taken place. Arising from this initial scoping work, it was decided to conduct a formal feasibility study. The evaluation of tenders received in relation to the feasibility study is currently ongoing.
MINISTER OF STATE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
DEPUTY PAUL KEHOE