Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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375. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the minimum number of CASA pilots that are required in order for the Air Corps to be in a position to provide 24 hour top cover. [18471/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The primary duties of the Air Corps’ CASA aircraft are maritime surveillance and fishery protection patrols. The White Paper on Defence sets out the Defence policy framework for the next decade. Chapter 4 of the White Paper sets out the policy context for the provision of a broad range of “non-security” supports. It states that Defence capabilities are primarily developed for security purposes rather than for other ends, and that this will remain the key focus.

The Irish Coast Guard search and rescue services can request the support of the Air Corps on an ‘as available’ basis under a Service Level Agreement between the Department of Defence and the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, the most recent of which has been in place since 2013. If requested, and if available, the Air Corps provide “top-cover” for the Coast Guard using the CASA fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft. Coast Guard helicopters also provide their own “top-cover” during Search & Rescue missions.

Availability is dependent upon a number of criteria including the availability of suitable aircraft, the availability of flying crews, the availability of Air Traffic Control services and the suitability of weather conditions. As I have outlined in replies to previous parliamentary questions, there are currently restrictions on Air Traffic Control services in Casement Aerodrome and shortages of experienced pilots. The Air Corps is not providing fixed wing aircraft for routine operations, on an ongoing basis, outside normal hours.

There are no plans to change the terms of the Service Level Agreement with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. As such the Air Corps CASA aircraft will continue to respond to requests from the Coast Guard for “top-cover” on an as available basis. While there are a range of actions underway which are intended to improve the general availability of Air Corps Aircraft for all roles assigned, there are no plans to dedicate CASA aircraft to the provision of “top-cover” on a 24 hour basis.