Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I wish to state that this facility is only based on a service level agreement. As I stated in my reply, the Air Corps will be able to provide such an as-available service both to the Department of Health or the HSE for medical transfers and to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. That facility is based on a service level agreement and that is stated clearly in that agreement.

To address the Deputy's other question, 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 level of availability of Air Corps aircraft for such tasks has reduced. This reduction is not due to the cuts in personnel but largely because the Air Corps has experienced retirements of highly experienced personnel. These retirements are outstripping the recruitment and training of replacement personnel. The loss of experienced personnel is driven by a range of factors - as I have stated here on numerous occasions - including the availability of attractive job opportunities in private and commercial semi-State sectors.

I assure the Deputy that while there has been a loss of experienced personnel, significant work is under way in the Defence organisation, both civil and military, aimed at improving the capacity of the Air Corps, which includes pilot training, a cadet recruitment campaign is under way, four personnel will complete air traffic training between May and September and the Air Corps is currently inducting a further air traffic control course, which started on Monday last.

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