Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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146. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of females who were recruited to the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service in 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of females currently in training in each branch of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25124/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The table following details the number of females inducted into the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service in 2020 and in 2021, in addition to those in training as at 31st March 2021.

Of the 42 women inducted in 2020, 32 were General Service Recruits, 6 were Cadets, 2 were Air Corps Apprentices and 2 were re-enlisting personnel.

The 6 women inducted by the end of March 2021 were General Service Recruits. Further inductions will take place throught the year as recruitment continues. The Air Corps Apprentice competition, closed in March 2021, attracted 663 applications and these are currently being processed. General Service recruitment is ongoing and the Cadet competition was launched recently. This is in addition to the 9 current Direct Entry competitions and the Re-commissioning and Re-enlistment schemes.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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147. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the Defence Forces proposal that the Air Corps takes over some maritime search-and-rescue operations; the implications for the current service provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25166/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There is currently a project ongoing 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.

The current contract for the SAR Helicopter service is between the Minister of Transport and a civil helicopter operator, CHC Ireland DAC. The contract commenced on 1st July 2012 for a period of 10 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years. The existing contract has been extended for one year to 2023 to facilitate the lengthy procurement process and ensure compliance with the Public Spending Code.

A strategic assessment and preliminary appraisal document in line with the Public Service Code was brought by the Department of Transport to Government for information in July last year. The preliminary appraisal included an appraisal of various service delivery options, including where the state assumed full responsibility for the service, either through the Air Corps or a dedicated Irish Coast Guard Aviation Branch. Both were ruled out for a variety of reasons but notably the risks to the state and questions around potential affordability and deliverability. I agree with the strategic assessment and preliminary appraisal mentioned above and I do not see the Air Corps taking full responsibility for SAR services in Ireland’s search and rescue domain.

I have acknowledged previously that I would like to explore further the option of the Air Corps providing some element of the SAR aviation service, given their historical role in this area. In this context, 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.

Ultimately, decisions on the scope, nature and procurement strategy for the next SAR marine aviation service will be a matter for Government once the detailed appraisal and business case has been finalised by the Department of Transport.