Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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304. To ask the Minister for Defence the total costs involved in the operation of the Government jet for the years 2008 to 2012. [21373/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. My 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, including depreciation and personnel costs.

Details of the hourly costs for each aircraft in 2011 and 2012 are contained in the tabular statement:

Details of the hourly costs for each aircraft in 2009 and 2010 are contained in the tabular statement:

Details of the hourly costs for each aircraft in 2008 are contained in the tabular statement:

Details of hours flown in respect of MATS missions, per aircraft type, for the five years in question are contained in the tabular statement:

In addition, a CASA maritime patrol aircraft and a AW 139 helicopter have been used infrequently for Ministerial travel when no MATS aircraft were available for operational or technical reasons. The last occasion these aircraft types were used for Ministerial travel was in October 2011 and February 2011 respectively.