Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee will today outline a €1.7bn defence spending plan that will run until 2030.
It will aim to speed up the modernisation of the Defence Forces and to improve defence capabilities across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
A key part of this initiative is the delivery of the Military Radar Programme which will get underway next year.
There will also be millions of euro set aside for anti-drone technology which is particularly relevant given the sighting of drones close to the flight path of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his recent visit here.
More Air Corps helicopters along with an aircraft that can carry personnel and equipment over long distances will be purchased.
Major upgrades are also planned for the naval service's subsea capabilities while more funding will be available to renew the army's armoured fleet .
Minister McEntee is expected to say today that the plan shows a determination to strengthen the State's defences in light of the changed geopolitical environment since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Minister finalising Early Years Action Plan
Separately, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley is finalising work on phase one of the Early Years Action Plan, which is due for publication next week.
It will contain measures to increase access to places, improve affordability and continue to raise quality standards in the early years sector.
The actions in phase one of the Early Years Action Plan are expected to include increases to the income limits for the National Childcare Scheme, which have been unchanged since 2019.
Families can currently get full subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme if their income is below €26,000. They can get a graduated level of subsidies if their income is between €26,000 and €60,000.
The increased income limits will come into effect in September 2026 to reduce the childcare bills for tens of thousands of working families on lower incomes.
The Early Years Action Plan will contain details of funding to support a new employment regulation order for staff in the sector and it will cut the red tape for providers and parents.
