Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Defence the details of each trip by Ministers in which the use of the Government jet was needed for travel; and the cost of same since he was elected in March 2011. [28150/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Ministerial Air Transport Service is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. Details of usage of the Ministerial Air Transport Service since 9 March 2011 are set out in the tabular statement, and include details of the requesting Minister(s), dates of travel, ministerial time on board and mission route.

The Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings:

· The direct cost which includes 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 such as catering costs, cleaning services and airport handling charges.

· The total cost which is the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft and includes depreciation and personnel costs.

The average direct cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,270 and for the Learjet is €1,940. The average total cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,790 and for the Learjet is €4,200. These costs are average costs which take a number of variables into account. It is not possible to assign an exact cost to any particular mission or Minister.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will give details of the occasions on which the Government jet was used for purposes other than the transport of Government Ministers; and the cost to the Exchequer of same since he was elected into office. [28151/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There are two jets which provide Ministerial Air Transport, the Gulfstream IV and the Learjet 45. In addition to its Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) role, the Gulfstream and Learjet are routinely tasked with Air Ambulance missions, provide "Top Cover" for search and rescue purposes, and are also occasionally used for military operations. In 2011, the Learjet participated in one air show in Malta.

Details of non MATS usage since the 9th March 2011 are set out in the tabular statements and include details of mission type, destination and flying times. The Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings:

· The direct cost which includes 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 such as catering costs, cleaning services and airport handling charges.

· The total cost which is the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft and includes depreciation and personnel costs.

The current average direct cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,270 and for the Learjet is €1,940. The average total cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,790 and for the Learjet is €4,200. These costs are average costs which take a number of variables into account. It is not possible to assign an exact cost to any particular mission.