asked the Minister for Defence the number of air, sea, and other rescue missions and ambulance missions flown by Air Corps helicopters in each year since the service commenced, the number of hours flown by Air Corps helicopters on lease to the Garda in the same period, the yearly cost involved, how and when the charges were set, and the number of requests made for British aircraft or helicopters in the same period.
Written Answers. - Air Corps Helicopter Missions.
269.
The number of air, sea and other rescue missions and ambulance missions flown by Air Corps helicopters since the service commenced in 1964 is as follows:
|
Air, Sea and other rescue missions |
Air Ambulance missions |
|
|
1964 |
12 |
2 |
|
1965 |
4 |
25 |
|
1966 |
9 |
38 |
|
1967 |
19 |
43 |
|
1968 |
51 |
36 |
|
1969 |
22 |
39 |
|
1970 |
32 |
52 |
|
1971 |
20 |
38 |
|
1972 |
29 |
47 |
|
1973 |
50 |
62 |
|
1974 |
36 |
75 |
|
1975 |
43 |
66 |
|
1976 |
51 |
87 |
|
1977 |
28 |
96 |
|
1978 |
44 |
97 |
|
1979 |
61 |
110 |
Air Corps helicopters are made available to the garda when required but it would not be possible, in the time available, to ascertain the hours flown by them since 1964 on Garda duties. There are no separate costs calculated for the use of the helicopters for such duties.
My Department made no request for British aircraft or helicopters in the same period.