Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Defence the projected costs of using the Government jet for 2011. [10395/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thought Deputy Higgins would be flying in for this question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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He is in a flutter.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Icelandic ash cloud has inhibited the Deputy's arrival in the Chamber.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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We would hardly be that lucky.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps he is about to take off and will be in the House before I conclude my reply.

The ministerial air transport service is primarily provided by Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. The Learjet has the capacity to carry seven passengers and is tasked with short and medium haul missions to the UK and Europe. The Gulfstream IV, has the capacity to carry 14 passengers and can be tasked with long haul missions to destinations such as the United States, Africa and the Middle East, as well as to European destinations. It is the only aircraft flown by the Air Corps which has a long haul capability.

The Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under two headings: the direct cost, which includes costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown, including maintenance, fuel, support services such as catering costs, cleaning services and airport handling charges and, the total cost which is the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft and includes depreciation and personnel costs, which are incurred in any case in maintaining personnel.

The average hourly costs associated with Air Corps aircraft used in the provision of the ministerial air transport service have recently been reviewed by my Department and revised costs are now available. The average direct cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,270 and for the Learjet, €1,940. The average total cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,790 and for the Learjet is €4,200. There has been a substantial decrease in average hourly costs for the Gulfstream as the depreciation cost is no longer included in the cost of calculation owing to the life of the aircraft. The aircraft is now 20 years old and it is no longer appropriate that depreciation is factored into the overall costs.

The Gulfstream and Learjet have completed 28 and 27 flying hours respectively during the first quarter of 2011. As details of the hours that will be flown by each aircraft for the remainder of the year are as yet unknown, it is not possible at this stage to project the full cost of using the Government jets during 2011.

I am disappointed that Deputy Higgins never landed. No doubt he may prove to be a late arrival.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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That is Deputy Durkan's gain.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is, which is the reason Deputy Durkan is smiling.