Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Defence his policy for using military helicopters in respect of transport within Ireland; if he is required to approve such travel requests; the names of Ministers and dates of travel for each time a military helicopter has been used to transport Government Ministers since 1 January 2008; the cost of such travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10291/09]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of operational Irish military helicopters based here; the number of operational Irish military helicopters based with Irish military operations overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10292/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

There are a total of ten helicopters in operational service with the Air Corps at present, comprising six AW139 utility helicopters, two EC135 P2 light utility helicopters and two Garda Air Support Unit EC135 T2 helicopters, which are owned by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and operated by the Air Corps. All ten helicopters are based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. There are no Air Corps helicopters based overseas.

The eight military 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, ministerial and VIP transport tasks.

Air Corps helicopters are used from time to time for ministerial air transport in situations where, for operational reasons, fixed wing aircraft may not be available, the point of destination may not be close to anairport and in circumstances where there is a requirementfor greaterflexibility than can be delivered by fixed wing aircraft. In 2008, ministerial transport represented approximately 5% of total helicopter flying hours. Requests for Ministerial use of helicopters are subject to the prior approval of An Taoiseach. Once approved, all operational matters are settled directly between the office of the Minister in question and the Department of Defence or Air Corps.

Details of Ministerial use of Air Corps helicopters since 1 January 2008 is set out in the following table. The Department of Defence follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings:

(a) The direct cost, i.e. 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; and

(b) The total cost, i.e. the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft, i.e. depreciation and personnel costs

The current rates per hour used to establish these costs in relation to helicopters are also set out in the tabular statements. The costs are an approximation to actual costs.

The costs associated with Air Corps helicopters used in provision of Ministerial Air Transport Service are as follows: