Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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494. To ask the Minister for Defence the total cost including maintenace and usage of the Government jet in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [30594/13]

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. The Casa maritime patrol aircraft have also been used infrequently for MATS missions where no MATS aircraft has been available for operational or technical reasons. My Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the average cost per flying hour under 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, 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.

The average hourly costs figures were revised in 2011, the previous revision was in 2009, to reflect the changes in the variables used to calculate the costs such as salaries, flying hours, depreciation and support costs. A further revision is currently being carried out by my Department and these figures will be published shortly.

Details of the average hourly costs for each aircraft, as revised in 2011, are contained in the tabular statement below:

Details of the average hourly costs for each aircraft, as revised in 2009 and applicable in 2010, are contained in the tabular statement below:

Details of hours flown per aircraft type for the years in question are contained in the tabular statement below:

The Programme for Government contained a commitment to introduce a new code of practice for the use of the Government jet, ensuring transparent and cost effective travel. In line with this commitment, information relating to the MATS is now published on my Department’s website and is updated on a monthly basis.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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495. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of times on a yearly basis, a helicopter aircraft from the Irish Air Corps landed at the helicopter landing pad on top of Government Buildings at Merrion Street, Dublin, between 26 June 1997 and 8 March 2011 as part of the Ministerial Air Transport Service; the passengers for which each landing was conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30611/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Air Corps did not use the helicopter landing pad on top of Government Buildings during the period in question.