Jim O'Keeffe
Question:55 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the operational costs of running Air Corps helicopters; and the details of their usage for ministerial transport in 2008 and to date in 2009. [9742/09]
View answerTuesday, 10 March 2009
Questions (27, 28)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:354 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the annual cost of the use of helicopters in the Ministerial air transport service for each year since 2005 to date in 2009; the numbers of times, broken down by year and by Minister that such helicopters have been used; the duration and estimated cost of each use; if Ministers are required to travel to Baldonnel, County Dublin to board the helicopter or if alternative arrangements are made for Ministers; and if there are guidelines on the use of helicopters by Ministers. [9912/09]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 354 together.
As part of the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose to include that part in the Official Report.
The Air Corps helicopter fleet comprises two light utility EC135 helicopters and six utility AW139 helicopters. The Alouette helicopters were withdrawn from Air Corps service in September 2007.
The helicopters are operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role. Primary taskings include security, aid to the civil power, military exercises, infantry interoperability training and limited troop transport. They are also used to perform air ambulance, non-maritime Search and Rescue, aid to the civil authorities, community support and Ministerial and VIP air transport tasks.
Helicopters are used from time to time for ministerial air transport in situations where, for operational reasons, fixed wing aircraft may not be available, the point of destination may not be close to an airport and in circumstances where there is a requirement for greater flexibility than can be delivered by fixed wing aircraft. In 2008, Ministerial transport represented approximately 5% of total helicopter flying hours.
The tables, previously referred to, set out the details of all Ministerial use of Air Corps helicopters from 1st January 2005 to the 2nd March 2009 including the date of each trip, the helicopter type tasked, the Ministerial time on board, the route and the requesting Minister. Each trip was in the conduct of official engagements and had the prior approval of An Taoiseach. Operational matters such as points of collection and points of set down are settled directly between the office of the Minister in question and the Department of Defence or Air Corps.
The Department of Defence follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings: The direct cost, i.e. the costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown including maintenance, fuel and support services; and The total cost, i.e. the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft, i.e. depreciation and personnel costs.
The current rates per hour used to establish these costs in relation to helicopters are also set out in the tabular statements. The costs are an approximation to actual costs.
|
Date |
Aircraft |
Ministerial Time on Board (Minutes) |
Route |
Requesting Minister |
|
18-Feb-05 |
Dauphin |
85 |
Dublin – Nenagh – Dublin |
Taoiseach |
|
15-Apr-05 |
Dauphin |
140 |
Baldonnel – Kerry – Phoenix Park |
Health |
|
22-Apr-05 |
Dauphin |
95 |
Dublin – Druids Glen – Avondale House – Dublin |
Taoiseach |
|
28-Apr-05 |
Dauphin |
110 |
Phoenix Park – Templemore – Phoenix Park |
Justice |
|
21-Jun-05 |
Dauphin |
95 |
Baldonnel – Ennis – Cliffs of Moher – Ballinrobe – Baldonnel |
Arts, Sports & Tourism |
|
24-Jun-05 |
Dauphin |
40 |
Waterford – Baldonnel |
Health |
|
27-Jun-05 |
Dauphin |
50 |
Dublin – Druids Glen – Dublin |
An Taoiseach |
|
21-Jul-05 |
Dauphin |
195 |
Baldonnel – Donegal – Baldonnel |
Communications, Marine & Natural Resources |
|
04-Aug-05 |
Dauphin |
215 |
Baldonnel – Nenagh – Baldonnel |
Communications, Marine & Natural Resources |
|
02-Sep-05 |
Dauphin |
75 |
Sligo Airport – Waterford |
Transport |
|
02-Sep-05 |
Dauphin |
50 |
Dublin Airport – Roselare |
An Taoiseach |
|
08-Sep-05 |
Alouette |
60 |
Dublin – Druids Glen – Dublin |
An Taoiseach |
|
27-Sep-05 |
Dauphin |
20 |
Cork Airport – Castlemartyr – Cork Airport |
An Taoiseach |
|
18-Nov-05 |
Dauphin |
50 |
Baldonnel – Roscrea – Baldonnel |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
16-Dec-05 |
Dauphin |
80 |
Shannon – Phoenix Pk – Baldonnel |
Defence |
|
Date |
Aircraft |
Ministerial Time On Board (Minutes) |
Route |
Requesting Minister |
|
26-Jan-06 |
EC 135 |
90 |
Phoenix Park – Templemore – Phoenix Park |
Justice Equality & Law Reform |
|
23-Feb-06 |
A111 |
110 |
Phoenix Park – Ballaghaderreen – Phoenix Park |
Arts, Sports & Tourism |
|
15-Mar-06 |
EC 135 |
80 |
Phoenix Park – Templemore – Phoenix Park |
Justice Equality & Law Reform |
|
6-Apr-06 |
EC 135 |
100 |
Dublin Airport – Armagh – Dublin Airport |
Taoiseach / Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
07-Apr-06 |
EC 135 |
50 |
Dublin Airport – Druids Glen – Dublin Airport |
Taoiseach |
|
25-Apr-06 |
EC 135 |
115 |
Phoenix Park – Shannon – Phoenix Park |
Defence |
|
05-May-06 |
EC 135 |
195 |
Finner Camp – Carrickfinn – Tory Island – Carrickfinn – Baldonnel |
Education & Science /MOS Transport |
|
18-May-06 |
EC 135 |
120 |
Baldonnel- Waterford- Baldonnel |
Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
|
08-Jun-06 |
EC 135 |
150 |
Baldonnel – Roscommon – Phoenix Park |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
21-Jun-06 |
EC 135 |
160 |
Baldonnel – Carrickfinn(Donegal) – Finner Camp – Cork – Baldonnel |
Education & Science /MOS Transport |
|
23-Jun-06 |
EC 135 |
65 |
Drumcondra – Kilkenny – Carlow – Drumcondra |
Taoiseach |
|
28-Jun-06 |
A111 |
160 |
Phoenix Park – Furbo – Inis Oirr – Furbo – Phoenix Park |
Community, Rural, Gaeltacht |
|
07-Jul-06 |
EC 135 |
45 |
Cork Airport – Clonakilty(DCMNR HQ) – Carrigtohill. |
Taoiseach |
|
11-Jul-06 |
A111 |
210 |
Galway (Ashford Castle) – Cleire Island – Sherkin Island – Heir Island – Dublin (Phoenix Park) |
Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
30-Jul-06 |
EC 135 |
120 |
Limerick (Sarsfield Barracks) – Phoenix Park – Limerick (Sarsfield Barracks) |
Defence |
|
31-Jul-06 |
EC 135 |
60 |
Drumcondra – Wicklow – Drumcondra |
Taoiseach |
|
15-Aug-06 |
EC 135 |
140 |
Trim – Kerry – Trim |
Communications Marine & Natural Resources |
|
06-Sep-06 |
EC 135 |
165 |
Phoenix Park – Haulbowline – Limerick – Phoenix Park |
Defence |
|
08-Sep-06 |
EC 135 |
30 |
Drumcondra – Druids Glen Wicklow |
Taoiseach |
|
29-Sep-06 |
EC 135 |
50 |
Drumcondra – Tullow |
Taoiseach |
|
02-Oct-06 |
A111 |
45 |
Drumcondra – Borrisokane |
Taoiseach |
|
08-Oct-06 |
A111 |
120 |
Drumcondra – Fermoy – Drumcondra |
Taoiseach |
|
16-Oct-06 |
EC 135 |
100 |
Drumcondra – Waterford |
Taoiseach |
|
27-Oct-06 |
EC 135 |
50 |
Drumcondra – Carnew |
Taoiseach |
|
09-Nov-06 |
EC 135 |
50 |
Drumcondra – Ballinamore |
Taoiseach |
|
10-Nov-06 |
EC 135 |
50 |
Castlerea – Dublin Airport |
Taoiseach |
|
11-Dec-06 |
A111 |
25 |
Portarlington – Kilkenny – Carlow |
Justice Equality & Law Reform |
|
15-Dec-06 |
EC 135 |
80 |
Phoenix Park – Templemore – Phoenix Park |
Justice Equality & Law Reform |
|
Date |
Aircraft |
Ministerial Time On Board |
Route |
Requesting Minister |
|
25-Jan-07 |
EC 135 |
110 |
Phoenix Park – Kilworth Cork – Phoenix Park |
Tanaiste |
|
02-Feb-07 |
A111 |
120 |
Phoenix Park – Templemore – Phoenix Park |
Tanaiste |
|
02-Feb-07 |
EC 135 |
35 |
St Patricks Drumcondra – Gortnahoe |
Taoiseach |
|
16-Feb-07 |
EC 135 |
45 |
St Patricks Drumcondra – GAA pitch, Roscommon |
Taoiseach |
|
1-Mar-07 |
EC 135 |
110 |
Baldonnel-Galway – Ballycroy, Co. Mayo |
Environment Heritage & Local Government /Agriculture |
|
30-Mar-07 |
EC 135 |
150 |
Baldonnel – Galway – Baldonnel |
Environment Heritage & Local Government |
|
5-Apr-07 |
EC 135 |
80 |
Phoenix Park – Cappoquin (Waterford) – Cork Airport |
Arts, Sports and Tourism |
|
19-Apr-07 |
EC 135 |
135 |
UCD – Manorhamilton – Ballybofey – Phoenix Park |
Health |
|
23-Apr-07 |
EC 135 |
70 |
St. Patricks Drumcondra – Mount Juliet – St. Patricks Drumcondra |
Taoiseach |
|
26-Apr-07 |
EC 135 |
100 |
Phoenix Park – Tipperary Town – Templemore – Phoenix Park |
Tanaiste |
|
27-Apr-07 |
EC 135 |
95 |
St. Patricks Drumcondra – Druids Glen – Bray – Dungarvan – New Ross |
Taoiseach |
|
16-May-07 |
EC 135 |
90 |
Baldonnel – Waterford – Baldonnel |
Transport |
|
03-Jul-07 |
AW 139 |
80 |
Phoenix Park – Cahir – Baldonnel |
Agriculture |
|
04-Jul-07 |
AW 139 |
90 |
St. Patricks Drumcondra – Bundoran – St Patricks |
Taoiseach |
|
09-Jul-07 |
AW 139 |
90 |
St. Patricks Drumcondra – Galway Airport – St Patricks |
Taoiseach |
|
17-Jul-07 |
AW 139 |
80 |
St Patricks Drumcondra – Armagh – St Patricks, Drumcondra |
Taoiseach |
|
06-Sep-07 |
EC 135 |
130 |
Baldonnel – Sarsfield Barracks – Haulbowline – Sarsfield Barracks |
Defence |
|
13-Sep-07 |
AW 139 |
140 |
Baldonnel – Dungloe – Tory Island – Dungloe – Ashford Castle |
Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
25-Sep-07 |
AW 139 |
60 |
Baldonnel – Tullamore – Baldonnel |
Agriculture |
|
27-Sep-07 |
AW 139 |
80 |
St Patricks, Drumcondra – Tullamore – Naas – Bray – Drumcondra |
Taoiseach |
|
02-Nov-07 |
AW 139 |
100 |
Baldonnel – Trim – Knock – Trim – Baldonnel |
Transport |
|
16-Nov-07 |
AW 139 |
80 |
St Patricks Drumcondra – Templemore – Nenagh – St Patricks Drumcondra |
Taoiseach |
|
17-Dec-07 |
AW 139 |
60 |
Carnmore, Galway -Cork |
Health |
|
17-Dec-07 |
AW 139 |
45 |
Phoenix Park – Fermoy, Cork |
Justice |