Written Answers. - Search and Rescue Service.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:
133
Mr. Gilmore
asked the
Minister for Defence
the total annual cost of the leasing the S61 helicopter that has been acquired for the Air Corps to operate in the north-west region as a replacement for the Dauphine; the total annual cost of the maintenance services to be provided by CHCI; if the cost over the next three years will be greater than the cost of purchasing a Sikorski helicopter, as had been planned; his views on whether this is value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25246/03]
Joe Sherlock
Question:
148
Mr. Sherlock
asked the
Minister for Defence
his plans for the acquisition of medium lift helicopters, following the cancellation of the order in 2002; when he expects to receive the report of the interdepartmental working group to seek alternative solutions to the provision of funding for helicopters required by the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25245/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 148 together.
The Sikorsky S61 helicopter has been leased by the Irish Coast Guard from Canadian Helicopter Corporation Ireland, CHCI, pursuant to existing SAR contracts and has been tasked by the Irish Coast Guard to the Air Corps. CHCI provides and maintains the aircraft, while it is flown and operated by Air Corps personnel.
The total cost of the S61 operation will amount to approximately €16 million over three years. This includes a monthly leasing cost of €86,056 – payment of which commenced on 18 October 2002 – and a monthly maintenance cost of €165, 526 – payment of which commenced in mid-April, 2003.
The decision to cancel the tender competition for the acquisition of medium lift helicopters for the Air Corps in July 2002, was taken due to budgetary constraints which meant that the level of Defence expenditure had to be reduced. The programme was a very significant one, including as it did, the proposed purchase of three medium range helicopters for SAR, with the option for a further two helicopters for general purpose military transport. The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to outline the actual cost of any particular helicopter as the tender compe tition was cancelled and the acquisition of the helicopters did not take place.
The decision to cancel the tender competition was an extremely difficult one for me. I am also aware of the acute disappointment felt by Air Corps personnel when the decision was announced. The lease of the S61, however, ensured that the Air Corps could retain its role in providing SAR services in the north-west upon the withdrawal of the Dauphin helicopter from that service.
When the decision to cancel the tender competition was made, I asked my officials to initiate a review of the provision of helicopter services, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, to determine how best to meet the State's obligations in search and rescue, while taking account of the current financial position.
An interdepartmental working group was established to examine and consider alternative solutions to the funding issue, such as public private partnerships, with a view to providing medium lift helicopters for the Air Corps by other means. The PPP unit in the Department of Finance was also involved in assisting the working group in identifying and assessing possible solutions.
In parallel with this, a joint military-civil board was established to review the overall rotary wing requirements for the Air Corps, in particular, the possible procurement of modern light utility helicopters for the Air Corps, to replace its current fleet of Alouettes and Gazelles. Obviously the procurement of light utility helicopters raises similar issues regarding funding options. Having regard to the need to prioritise asset requirements in the context of available resources, the advice of the working group on funding has been incorporated into the report of the joint civil-military board on rotary wing requirements which deals with both search and rescue and light utility helicopters. This report has been completed by the board and is currently the subject of detailed consideration by senior civil and military management in my Department. I expect the report to be submitted to me in due course.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the costs of replacing the rotary aircraft of the Air Corps with modern aircraft would involve significant cost and can only be considered on the basis of prioritised requirements set down by the military authorities and agreed by my Department, having regard to available resources.
