Dinny McGinley
Question:130 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence if the search and rescue helicopter is being transferred from Finner in County Donegal to Sligo Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4746/03]
Written Answers. - Search and Rescue Services.
Brendan Howlin
Question:135 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence when the promised new medium lift helicopter to be operated by the Air Corps out of Sligo Airport will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4671/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 135 together.
The Irish Coastguard of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for the provision of marine search and rescue, SAR, services in this country. The Air Corps provides SAR services off the north-west coast, while Canadian Helicopters Corporation Ireland, CHCI, is contracted to provide SAR services for the rest of the country.
I am committed to maintaining the Air Corps role in the provision of SAR services and, in this regard, the Air Corps is in the process of acquiring an S61 helicopter to operate in the north-west region to replace the existing Dauphin helicopter. The S61 helicopter has been leased by the Irish Coastguard from CHCI pursuant to existing SAR contracts and has been tasked by the Irish Coastguard to the Air Corps. The Air Corps will provide the flight crews and the aircraft will be maintained by CHCI. The S61 will operate out of Sligo Airport.
Pilot training on the S61, which is being provided by CHCI, is ongoing. The current plans envisage work-up training commencing in the north-west in April 2003, with the helicopter going operational in mid-2003.
The S61 will be based at Sligo Airport. While the current Dauphin service operates from Finner Camp, the S61 being a larger and heavier machine requires a longer airstrip and appropriate hangarage, facilities which are not available in Finner. The S61 will represent a major improvement in the endurance and capacity of the SAR service in the north-west.
Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 114.