Kilkenny’s army barracks to benefit from €37m investment as part of upgrade

By COLIN BARTLEY

STEPHENS Barracks in Kilkenny is set to benefit from one of the Government’s largest allocations to the Defence Forces in the history of the state.

Brand new training facilities are to be constructed at the city’s barracks as part of a €37 million investment in capital projects designed to upgrade military facilities.

Over €1 billion was allocated to the Defence Forces in yesterday’s budget. Half of that money will be spent on pay and allowances, with a further €275 million going towards outstanding payments to serving members, increases in members’ allowances, and money directed to the force’s pension fund.

The remaining money, around €250 million, will be spent modernising the Defence Forces, providing a fleet of new armoured vehicles, new Air Corps planes, new maritime patrol boats and the re-fit of two naval ships.

The funding will see investment in communication systems and information technology, as well as weapons and ammunition systems.