Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1378: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of occasions an Air Corps helicopter has been used in 2007 and to date in 2008; the person by whom it was used; the reason it was deployed; the costs of use on each occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30426/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Air Corps helicopter fleet comprises two light utility EC135 helicopters and five utility AW139 helicopters, with one further AW139 scheduled for delivery by the end of 2008. The Alouette helicopters were withdrawn from Air Corps service in September 2007.

The helicopters are operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role. Primary taskings include security, aid to the civil power, military exercises, infantry interoperability training and limited troop transport. They are also used to perform air ambulance, inland Search and Rescue, aid to the civil authorities, community support and VIP transport tasks.

The following table sets out details of deployment of Air Corps helicopters in 2007 and to date in 2008:

With regard to the tasking of Air Corps helicopters in the VIP transport role, the following schedule sets out the details of all Ministerial use of Air Corps helicopters in 2007 and to date in 2008, including the date of each trip, the helicopter type tasked, the duration of each flight and the persons carried. Each trip was in the conduct of official engagements and had the prior approval of An Taoiseach.

The hourly cost of each helicopter type is set out in the following table.

The direct hourly cost reflects the costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown, including maintenance, fuel and support services. The total hourly cost reflects the direct cost, plus the costs associated with having the aircraft, i.e. depreciation and personnel costs. A total hourly cost for the EC135 and the AW139 is not yet available.