Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Defence if a decision has been made in regard to the replacement of the Air Corp's Cessna fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26012/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is intended to increase the strength of the Air Corp; if it is intended to upgrade or replace equipment including aircraft or other hardware; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26334/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 239 together.

As Minister for Defence I am delighted with the level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps in recent years. The comprehensive investment programme included:

The delivery of eight Pilatus training aircraft at a total cost of €60m, inclusive of VAT.

Two light utility EC 135 helicopters acquired from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost of €12.8m, inclusive of VAT.

Six utility AW 139 helicopters acquired from AgustaWestland, Italy at a cost of €75m inclusive of VAT, the final two of which are scheduled for delivery in 2008.

A major mid life upgrade on the two Casa maritime patrol aircraft, at a cost of €16.5m, is underway — work on the first aircraft was completed in 2007, work on the second aircraft will be completed this year.

The issue of the replacement of the Air Corps Cessna Fleet is under active consideration at present. The question of funding the replacement programme has to be considered in tandem with the overall equipment requirements of the Defence Forces generally and the funding available for this.

The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 set out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army as the strength sufficient to meet all foreseeable military requirements for the period comprehended by the White Paper (i.e. up to 2010). This remains the position. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. This recruitment will continue to maintain the strength at the level set out in the White Paper.