Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the crew involved in the loss of Rescue 116, which has been a shock to us all. I would also like to recognise the efforts of everyone involved in the recovery operation.

On the night of the tragic incident, the Coast Guard requested the assistance of the Air Corps to provide top cover. It was not possible to undertake this task because the CASA aircraft was unavailable. On this occasion, it was because of a reduced availability of experienced personnel, both air crew and air traffic control. The Air Corps is not providing fixed-wing aircraft for routine operations on an ongoing basis outside normal hours. However, in exceptional circumstances outside of normal hours, the Air Corps can recall personnel, as happened when Rescue 116 went missing.

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 aero-medical 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 security escorts.

The reduction in experienced personnel in the Air Corps has not arisen due to cuts in personnel numbers. As with other areas of the public service, challenges have arisen with the recruitment and retention of personnel in particular areas of expertise. The Air Corps has experienced retirements of highly-experienced personnel and these retirements are outstripping the recruitment and training of replacement personnel. The loss of experienced personnel is driven by a range of factors, including the availability of attractive job opportunities in the private and commercial semi-State sectors. This loss of experienced personnel has, in turn, impacted on the availability of aircraft.

The Coast Guard, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, has overall responsibility for the provision of search and rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region. The 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 several factors, including the availability of suitable aircraft, the availability of flying crews and the suitability of weather conditions.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

All agencies to which the Air Corps provides supports , on an as-available basis, in accordance with their service level agreements , were notified of reduced availability last summer. However, it is normal practice for agencies to check for Air Corps availability as relevant missions arise. I assure the House that there is significant work under way in the defence organisation, both civil and military, aimed at improving the capacity of the Air Corps. This includes work on a range of actions to improve pilot retention.

Recruitment of new personnel is taking place and pilot cadets are in training. However, it will take time for these cadets, when qualified, to develop their skills and expertise. As such, a return to previous levels of capability in the Air Corps will be a gradual process as pilots within the system progress to become aircraft commanders and newly qualified cadets become pilots.

Actions are also under way to return a full level of air traffic control services to the Air Corps. Air traffic control training is taking place and options to ensure the longer-term sustainability of air traffic control services in Baldonnel are being identified. These measures will facilitate a gradual extension of operational hours for air traffic control services in Baldonnel over the year, beginning this May, as newly-qualified personnel develop their experience and with an anticipated return to full 24-7 service in early 2018.

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