Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 March 2017
20. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures he will take to enhance the search and rescue capacity of the Air Corps as a back-up to the Coast Guard and RNLI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15487/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra29. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on reports that due to a shortage of pilots and air traffic controllers the Air Corps lacks the capacity to provide adequate air ambulance services and top cover for search and rescue missions; and the efforts being made to recruit and train specialised personnel to fill these positions. [15265/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 29 together.
The Air Corps continues to provide a broad range of services on a daily basis for a diverse range of tasks such as Army and Naval Service support, the Emergency Aeromedical Service, maritime patrols and fishery protection, the Ministerial Air Transport Service, inter-hospital transfers and Aid to the Civil Power duties including the Garda Air Support Unit and cash escorts.
The Irish Coast Guard, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, has overall responsibility for the provision of Search & Rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region. It is a nationwide maritime emergency organisation that provides a variety of services to shipping and other government agencies. Coast Guard helicopters contribute to the provision of maritime search & rescue within the Irish search and rescue region.
In the past, the Air Corps provided search and rescue services but was withdrawn from this role in 2004 following a handover to CHC Ireland, a private operator. This decision was taken on account of what has always been the overriding concern of the Government: the safety of mariners and indeed anyone who gets into difficulty where Search & Rescue can respond.
The Irish Coast Guard search and rescue services can request the support of the Air Corps on an ‘as available’ basis under a Service Level Agreement between the Department of Defence and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the most recent of which has been in place since 2013. Availability is dependent upon a number of criteria including the availability of suitable aircraft, the availability of flying crews and the suitability of weather conditions.
If requested, and if available, the Air Corps provide “top-cover” for the Coast Guard using a CASA fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft. Coast Guard helicopters also provide their own “top-cover” during Search & Rescue missions.
Having regard to the co-ordination of transport arrangements for paediatric organ transplant transfers to the UK, the HSE’s Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is responsible for this coordination. Air transport for these patients is currently provided in three ways: Air Corps fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft; Irish Coast Guard rotor-wing aircraft; and private air ambulance providers.
The Department of Defence has a Service Level Agreement with the Department of Health and the HSE for the Air Corps to use its fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to transport patients and medical teams between hospitals within Ireland and abroad, on an ‘as available’ basis as outlined above.
I can confirm that the level of availability of Air Corps aircraft for such tasks has reduced. This reduction is largely because the Air Corps has experienced retirements of highly experienced personnel which is outstripping the recruitment and training of replacement personnel.
All agencies which the Air Corps provides supports in accordance with their Service Level Agreements were notified of this reduced availability last summer. However, it is normal practice for Agencies to check for Air Corps availability as relevant missions arise.
I want to assure the Deputy that, while there has been this loss of experienced personnel, there is significant work underway in the Defence Organisation, both civil and military, aimed at improving the capacity of the Air Corps.
