Written answers
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Department of Defence
Defence Forces Strength
10:00 pm
Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of aircraft owned or held by his Department; the number of Air Corps staff employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31660/10]
Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps as at the 31st May 2010, was 795.
There are a total of 27 aircraft in operational service with the Air Corps at present, comprising 10 helicopters and 17 fixed wing aircraft. The types of the aircraft are set out in the tabular statement, which will be circulated with the Official Report.
TYPE OF AIR CORPS AIRCRAFT IN OPERATIONAL SERVICE
Air Corps 10 helicopters and 17 fixed wing aircraft as follows:
| Helicopters | No. | Usage |
| EC 135 | 4 | Two used for pilot training and two dedicated to the Garda Air Support Unit and used on Garda operations only. |
| AW 139's | 6 | General purpose military operational and training. |
| Fixed Wing | ||
| Gulfstream IV | 1 | Dedicated to the Ministerial Air Transport Service. |
| Learjet 45 | 1 | Dedicated to the Ministerial Air Transport Service. It is also used as an air ambulance. |
| CASA | 2 | Maritime patrols, fishery protection and the reporting of inshore pollution. In the course of fishery protection patrols the CASA can be used from time to time in support of the Customs National Drug Team at the request of the latter body. |
| Cessna | 5 | Provides support to Army and Garda operations and can undertake Inland Fishery Protection at the behest of Fisheries Boards. |
| PilatusPC9 | 7 | These replaced the Marchettis' and they provide basic flight training for Cadets. Capable of being armed giving a limited defensive capability. |
| Defender | 1 | Dedicated to the Garda Air Support Unit and used on Garda operations only. |
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