Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Defence if Irish participation in MINURCAT is scheduled to continue beyond its expiry date in March 2010; the cost involved in the termination of Irish involvement in MINURCAT; the cost involved in extending participation in MINURCAT beyond the scheduled 2010 expiry date for Irish participation; if a decision has been taken; if not, when that decision is scheduled to be taken; if he will inform the Houses of the Oireachtas of his recommendation regarding the expiry or termination of the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2118/10]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made in improving the numbers of the planned military force to serve with MINURCAT in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1980/10]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the Irish Defence Force participation in MINURCAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2068/10]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the level of back up support being provided to Irish troops in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1916/10]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Irish contingent on peace keeping duties in Chad will be maintained at its current strength throughout 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1984/10]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of soldiers sent home from Chad with a sports injury since the Irish contingent became involved in peace keeping there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1987/10]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Defence the medical and casevac facilities for Irish personnel serving with the UN mission in Chad; his views of whether the facilities are adequate compared with was provided when the mission was under the EU flag; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2318/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 92, 97, 102, 112, 118 and 259 together.

A total of 419 Defence Forces personnel is currently deployed to the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), the mandate of which expires on 14 March 2010. As outlined in the budget in December 2009, it has been decided that the Defence Forces commitments to overseas peace support operations will be scaled back in 2010 as one of the budgetary expenditure reductions. The operations where Ireland will be reducing its commitments will be KFOR in Kosovo and Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

However, in relation to MINURCAT, the Government is committed to retaining the Defence Forces presence in Chad, at its present level, beyond 14 March 2010, subject to renewal by the UN Security Council of MINURCAT's mandate beyond that date. I will bring proposals to the Government in due course seeking formal approval for the Defence Forces continued participation in this mission beyond 14 March 2010.

Had the Government decided to withdraw from MINURCAT, the costs of repatriation of troops and personnel from the UN led mission would have been met by the UN. Certain additional costs arise to the Defence Vote on an annual basis from participation in overseas missions. The additional annual costs for participation in MINURCAT, net of UN reimbursements, is approximately €8.0m per annum. As such, withdrawal from MINURCAT would have resulted in a net saving to the Defence Vote of a similar amount.

The task of force generation and filling the establishment of the MINURCAT force is the responsibility of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The authorised military strength of MINURCAT is 5,200 personnel. As of 30 November 2009, the military strength of MINURCAT is 2,766 personnel. I understand that the military strength of MINURCAT is likely to further increase over the coming months.

I am satisfied that the required logistical support of Irish troops currently deployed with MINURCAT is being delivered in accordance with national standards. There are no concerns in relation to Real Life Support for Irish troops at this time. Since the Irish contingent was first deployed to Chad in 2008, two members of the Permanent Defence Force have been repatriated as a result of sustaining sports injuries. During the EUFOR Tchad/RCA operation, a dedicated MEDEVAC helicopter and Aero Medical Evacuation Team (AMET) were stationed in Goz Beida. This helicopter was specially fitted, adapted and certified for the transportation of casualties. Currently in MINURCAT, a dedicated Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) helicopter is located on a 24/7 basis in the MINURCAT Force Headquarters (FHQ) in Abéché, which is approx 200km (70mins flying time) from the Irish Camp in Goz Beida. There are also two United Nations helicopters based in Goz Beida alongside the Irish Camp, which when authorised by FHQ, can be used for CASEVAC purposes which reduces the airlift response times. All helicopter borne CASEVACs have to be authorised by FHQ.

As is the case in all UN-led missions such as MINURCAT, medical treatment is provided for in accordance with UN medical guidelines. These guidelines indicate that a casualty should be seen by a doctor within one hour of sustaining an injury/illness and transferred to a Level 2 Medical facility, similar to that located in Abéché, within four hours of sustaining the injury/illness. All long range patrols conducted by Defence Forces personnel are planned in accordance with this guideline. Standard procedure for Irish troops operating with MINURCAT is that a doctor and medical orderly, complete with armoured ambulance, will accompany all long range patrols. This ensures that a soldier injured or wounded on a long range patrol would receive immediate medical (Level 1) attention.