Written Answers. - Air Corps Equipment.
Austin Currie
Ceist:
44
Mr. Currie
asked the
Minister for Defence
the number of aircraft in the Air Corps over 20 years old; the plans, if any, he has to re-equip the Air Corps; the timetable for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26273/99]
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:
77
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Defence
his views on whether the Air Corps is adequately equipped, financed and manned to fulfil its functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26100/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 77 together.
In the four year period 1996-9 about £50 million was spent on air corps aircraft and equipment purchases and operational costs generally. Appropriate provision will continue to be made for expenditure required in those areas.
The Air Corps fleet comprises 18 fixed wing aircraft and 14 helicopters, including one fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter operated by the Air Corps on behalf of the Garda Síochána. The number and types of the fixed wing element of the fleet are as follows:
2 CASA CN-235
1 Gulfstream IV
1 Beech Super Kingair
7 Siai – Marchetti SF 260W
6 Cessna
1 Defender 4000 (Garda)
The helicopter element consists of the following:
7 Alouette III
2 Gazelle
4 Dauphin 365F
1 Ecureil AS355N (Garda)
The aircraft which are more than 20 years old comprise all of the Siai-Marchetti, five Cessna, one Gazelle and all of the Alouette III.
The remaining aircraft were purchased within the last 20 years –
1 Cessna–1981
1 Gazelle Helicopter–1981
1 Beech Super Kingair–1980
4 Dauphin 365F Helicopters–1984/1985
1 Gulfstream IV–1992
2 CASA CN 235–1994
1 Defender and 1 Ecureil (Garda)–1997.
All of the aircraft mentioned are operational and undergo regular maintenance and scheduled overhauls to ensure that they are fully airworthy and meet the certification standards laid down for the aviation industry. In the circumstances it is not proposed to withdraw them from service at present.
The longer term development of the Air Corps, including the question of future aircraft requirements, will be dealt with in the context of the White Paper on Defence. Work on the paper will be completed by the end of the year and I intend to bring forward my proposals immediately for consideration and approval by Government.
In the meantime, I asked the Chief of Staff to prepare, in conjunction with the general officer commanding the Air Corps, a draft implementation plan for my consideration, to implement the effectiveness and efficiency recommendations made by the consultants Price Waterhouse in their review of the corps. The draft plan from the Air Corps was submitted recently and is being examined in the context of the White Paper.
The establishment of the Air Corps is 930 and its current strength is 884. This figure is comprised of 118 officers, 353 NCOs and 413 privates. A total of 48 personnel were recruited in 1999, comprising 13 cadets, 15 apprentices and 20 for general service. I am satisfied that the current level of manning will permit the Air Corps to carry out the operational duties allotted to it.
