Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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525. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of qualified military aircraft maintenance technicians and qualified military avionics technicians currently in the Air Corps. [50575/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities advise that, as of 4th October 2021 there were 135 qualified aircraft maintenance technicians and 34 qualified avionics technicians currently serving in the Air Corps.

In addition, there are 69 apprentices, 25 of whom are undergoing basic military training along with 3 Direct Entry Aircraft Technicians.  The remaining 44 apprentices are undergoing their qualification process and will be streamed into Rotary, Fixed Wing or avionics technician categories.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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526. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to replace the two EC135 P2 aircraft within the Air Corps. [50576/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.  Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. 

In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas. Defence has received a capital allocation under the National Development Plan of €566m over the 2022-2025 timeframe. Within that capital allocation the Defence annual capital budget for 2022 is €141m. This will enable continued investment in defence equipment, including major platforms, and barracks infrastructure. 

In relation to air-based capability, my immediate priorities have been the acquisition of three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role and to acquire two Airbus C295 maritime patrol aircraft.  An additional PC-12 was also acquired in response to the Covid 19 situation.   A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was signed with Airbus Defence and Space in December 2019, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. Some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all of these enhanced capabilities.  

The replacement of the Air Corps two EC135 P2 Helicopters will be considered as part of the ongoing Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programme alongside other major Defence Equipment upgrade and replacement programmes over the coming years.