Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
196. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if the Air Corps has investigated the possibility of providing top cover for SAR operations and other fixed wing services to the Irish Coast Guard and HSE on an on-call basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37430/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role.
As part of the Defence Organisation, the Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role. The Air Corps also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis, including the provision of aviation supports to the Irish Coast Guard and air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE), using aircrafts from both the fixed-wing and rotary elements of the Air Corps fleet as required. These supports are underpinned by agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government COVID-19 response while retaining, at all times, a contingent capacity to provide Aid to the Civil Power support. Given the unique situation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional PC-12 NG aircraft was purchased to provide immediate additional fixed wing capacity.
This aircraft provides the Air Corps with a further agile resource to service urgent requests from the HSE and other agencies of the State, including the Irish Coast Guard, as an 'as available' basis at the request of the lead department or agency.
