The Public Accounts Committee has issued a sharp rebuke of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) due to significant shortcomings in the maintenance of its buildings. The criticism, detailed in a report released on Monday, highlights a lack of oversight, inadequate long-term planning, and the underutilization of allocated funds.

The committee’s report points to neglected barracks and poor accommodation conditions for defense personnel, including conscripts. Issues such as mold in common areas and malfunctioning sewage, toilet, and bathing facilities were specifically mentioned.

The Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet) has issued over 100 orders to the MoD in the past three years, with a third requiring immediate action. This underscores the severity and urgency of the maintenance issues.

The MoD oversees approximately 5,000 buildings across 230 locations, making it one of the state’s largest property owners. However, approximately 80% of these buildings have not undergone timely inspections, according to a report from the National Audit Office.

Despite the allocation of substantial funds for defense, the MoD has failed to fully utilize the resources earmarked for building maintenance. From 2018 to 2023, DKK 2.6 billion was allocated, but only DKK 1.8 billion was spent, leaving nearly DKK 800 million unspent.

The Public Accounts Committee further noted the MoD’s short-term approach to maintenance planning, with plans only covering a single year at a time. This contrasts with the long-standing goal of implementing a ten-year maintenance plan.

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen acknowledged the criticism and admitted to a “clear backlog” in building maintenance. He stated that, like other areas within the MoD, building maintenance has been insufficient for several years.

Poulsen added that the ministry has initiated efforts to ensure timely building inspections and develop multi-year renovation plans. He also mentioned that additional funds have been allocated to address critical issues and improve conditions at defense locations. He expressed optimism that the MoD now has the opportunity to plan building maintenance more thoroughly, sustainably, and long-term.