Vol. 506 No. 1
47 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to upgrade the equipment available to the Air Corps; the further plans, if any, he has to take on extra people in a training capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14798/99]
In the three year period 1996-98 a total of £38 million was spent on Air Corps aircraft and equipment purchases and operational costs generally and the 1999 Estimate provision is £12.5 million. Appropriate provision will continue to be made for expenditure required in those areas.
The most recent purchase of aircraft for the Air Corps was the two CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft which were delivered in 1994 and cost over £40 million. The Air Corps also operate and maintain on behalf of the Garda Síochána a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter which were purchased in 1997. As I indicated in reply to questions in the House on 20 May last certain proposals to address the long-term air requirements of the State, including the question of future aircraft requirements, are being considered and will require assessment and evaluation in the overall context of the White Paper on Defence through a thorough and wide-ranging process of consultation which I outlined.
I invite the Deputy's attention to that reply which is important in setting out the comprehensive and inclusive approach which is being taken to defining the future role of the Air Corps.
As regards the question of recruitment, it is intended to recruit 12 Air Corps pilot cadets from the current 1999 cadet competition. There are some 18 cadets already in training with the Air Corps. In addition, a competition for 15 avionics apprentices was advertised in early May.
