Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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527. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his engagements with the Minister for Transport in relation to the Air Corps providing a search and rescue service; if his attention has been drawn to information (details supplied); if he has endorsed the submission made by the Air Corps in respect of providing a search and rescue service; and if he has carried out a costing and or business case in respect of an Air Corps search and rescue service. [22000/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for bringing the relevant material to my attention. I am aware of the over-arching matters outlined in same.  

Since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain. From within the Defence Organisation, both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an “as available” basis. A Service Level Agreement is in place setting out their roles and responsibilities in this regard.   

No decision has yet been taken to change any aspect of the current delivery model of Search and Rescue (SAR) aviation services in Ireland's SAR domain. There is, as you are aware, an ongoing project under the remit of the Department of Transport, to consider, develop and bring to fruition a new Marine Search and Rescue aviation contract for future service provision. I endorse the process underway to date and I am satisfied with the Department of Transport’s discernment in appointing experts and Steering Group members to this project.

In the context of this ongoing process, late last year, I asked my officials to engage further with the Department of Transport to explore the option of the Air Corps providing some element of the next generation SAR aviation service while at the same time ensuring that the service meets domestic and international obligations for SAR and represents value for money for the State.  This process is currently ongoing. I can confirm that a proposal by the AC, which includes costing material, has been shared with the Department of Transport by my Department as part of ongoing engagement. I have also met with the Minister for Transport in March on this matter.

Ultimately, decisions on the scope, nature and procurement strategy for the next service will be a matter for Government once the detailed appraisal and business case has been finalised.