Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 202: To ask the Minister for Defence the estimated expenditure for the upgrading of vehicles and equipment in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9653/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Investment in new equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various Subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships and naval stores, engineering, communications and information technology equipment etc.

The main purchase of defensive equipment is covered under Subhead G of the Defence Vote. This encompasses the acquisition of ammunition, weapons and other military equipment for the Defence Forces, including the acquisition of Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles, the first 17 of which are due for acceptance at the end of March 2010. The provision for Subhead G for 2010 is €37m.

The upgrade of non-armoured vehicles, purchase of spare parts, the maintenance and running costs of the fleet, including fuel and lubricants and the purchase of new vehicles is covered under Subhead I of the Defence Vote. The acquisitions planned for this year include 22 Minibuses, 2 ambulances, 45 3⁄4 ton 4 x 4 patrol vehicles and 4 midi-coaches for troop transportation. The provision for Subhead I for 2010 is €16.955m.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 204: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of air craft, helicopter and fixed wing available to the Air Corps for rescue or emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9655/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The role of the Air Corps as set out in the White Paper on Defence is to provide a range of military and non-military services in support of the State. These services include the provision of an air ambulance service on the basis of agreed arrangements with the Department of Health and Children, and the provision of assistance in relation to civil emergencies in response to requests from the An Garda Síochána, and the principal response agencies such as the Irish Coast Guard. The Air Corps Maritime Patrol aircraft, while primarily tasked for sea fisheries protection activities, also assist the Coast Guard in Search and Rescue operations at sea. The Air Corps helicopters play a role in inland search and rescue missions. The AW 139 helicopter is the Air Corps' main aircraft for Air Ambulance operations. The Lear and the GIV have also been used on occasion for this type of mission. The number of air craft available to the Air Corps for rescue and emergency services are set out in the following tables:

Fixed Wing Air Craft Available for Rescue/Providing Emergency Services

Helicopters