Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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166. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which military hardware including communications technology continues to be updated throughout the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20812/14]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including equipment and modern communications technology, enables the Defence Forces to carry out their roles effectively both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for the Department of Defence and is a matter that is kept under constant review. However, it is imperative that the Department and the Defence Forces, similar to all other Government Departments, must take into account the current difficult economic environment we are now operating in.

The budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment and upgrades. Decisions will be made accordingly on a strictly prioritised basis with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. A particular focus is maintained in ensuring that modern and effective equipment, including communications equipment, is available for overseas peace support operations. In this regard, the personal equipment, which the individual soldier has at his/her disposal in Lebanon and on other overseas missions is second to none and compares very favourably with the equipment in use by other countries.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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167. To ask the Minister for Defence his views regarding the extent to which updated military aircraft remains available to the Defence Forces for training purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20813/14]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that there are a total of 27 aircraft operating from Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. Of this total, 3 aircraft are operated by the Air Corps for An Garda Síochána related activities, namely two EC 135 Helicopters and 1 Fixed Wing Defender 4000 aircraft. The remaining 24 aircraft, 16 Fixed Wing and 8 Rotary, are available to the Air Corps. The sixteen Fixed Wing aircraft are made up of the Gulfstream IV, Learjet 45, 2 CASA Maritime Patrol aircraft, 5 Cessna aircraft and 7 Pilatus PC9 aircraft, used in the main for pilot training. The rotary fleet is made up of 6 AW 139 and 2 EC 135 helicopters, one of which is currently out of operational use and is undergoing repairs.

The Air Corps operate a maintenance plan which endeavours to ensure that the maximum number of operational flying hours is available from aircraft when most needed. The maintenance of the Air Corps fleet falls into three broad categories: scheduled, unscheduled and routine/daily. The use of Performance Based maintenance contracts assists the Air Corps in keeping downtime of aircraft to the minimum.

The provision for the Air Corps in 2014 mainly relates to these maintenance contracts set up to keep the Air Corps fleet fully operational with specific maintenance work being carried out on the CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft related to the overhaul of engines on the aircraft. The Air Corps keep abreast of all developments in modern aviation. It will continue to conduct its training in accordance with industry best practices and to the highest standards, referencing European Aviation Safety Agency and Federal Aviation Administration requirements.