Defence Forces
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-17
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

Last December, I was pleased to announce the record allocation of €1.7 billion in the NDP capital funding for defence from now until 2030. This represents an increase of €600 million or 55% on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion. For 2026, the defence capital allocation has increased by €66 million to €300 million. Obviously, we want every barracks and every area to be able to benefit from that spending. It is a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to enhancing the capabilities, equipment and accommodation for our Defence Forces.
This capital investment in defence primarily supports the renewal, retention and acquisition of major defence equipment and the development of defence infrastructure and is a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to delivering what we all spoke of here - modern Defence Forces capable of responding to what is an increasingly complex security environment that we live in.
The infrastructure development plan, IDP, sets out a programme of project delivery to 2027, reflecting the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure.
In order to progress the infrastructural projects more efficiently and deliver economies of scale, we are currently developing a series of infrastructural master plans. These plans will identify the infrastructure requirements for each installation along with an associated prioritisation schedule. These plans will dovetail with developments identified under the current plan and will also lay out requirements from 2027 onwards.
As the Deputy outlined, Louth has an extremely proud tradition in the Defence Forces. Aiken Barracks is an incredibly valued barracks for the people of Dundalk and for the surrounding areas. As a County Meath woman, obviously, it is close to me also.
Within existing IDP structures, a central heating upgrade and the installation of new electric vehicle charging points have recently been delivered to Aiken Barracks, with a dining hall upgrade currently ongoing. Work is also ongoing on the new dining facility and all of this will be completed in 2026 at a cost of €5.6 million. This will replace the catering infrastructure currently used by Defence Forces military and civilian staff and includes a kitchen, front-of-house dining facilities and co-located ration storage. It is essential, particularly when so much of our infrastructure and so many of our barracks are old. They need that kind of investment. It is important that we are investing in the day-to-day workings, where they are eating or sleeping, and where they are doing their training, because it is an investment directly in the men and women of the Defence Forces.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:38+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-17