Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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301. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if funding will be provided in 2023 to replace the Learjet 45 aircraft during 2023. [6986/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is delivered primarily by the use of the Learjet 45 aircraft, which came into operation in 2004. Where it is unavailable, the CASA and/or other Air Corps aircraft may be used.

The Learjet is currently approaching its natural end of life. Based on current serviceability issues, discontinuation of manufacturer support and limited part availability for this type of older aircraft, the Air Corps estimate that the aircraft will require replacement by 2024 at the latest.

As such, in line with the Public Spending Code an inter-Departmental high-level group of officials (the MATS Review Group), chaired by my Department, was established in 2021 to examine options for delivery of the Ministerial Air Transport Service. The capability of this service to carry out a broader utility role for the State, in terms of tasks and reach (beyond Europe), was also examined.

During the course of 2022 the MATS Review Group produced both an agreed Strategic Assessment Report and a Preliminary Business Case, the latter of which contained a detailed financial appraisal and economic assessment conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). These reports were supplemented by the inclusion of additional market research, on suitable options for the acquisition of a second-hand aircraft, with the assistance of an independent aviation consultant.

I have reviewed the various strands of work conducted to date and have approved the recommendation made by my officials .

Ultimately the State needs a replacement aircraft that provides a broad utility role, including strategic reach in crisis situations and medical evacuation, as well as Ministerial Air Transport.

A project team is currently being established with a view to undertaking a procurement competition for a replacement capability for the Learjet 45 aircraft. The procurement will consider both new and second-hand replacement capability. The outcome of any procurement competition will be subject to further deliberation and consideration in line with the Public Spending Code. As with all major equipment platforms the project team will need to plan out the procurement and at this early stage it is not possible to estimate a timeframe for delivery of a replacement aircraft or to determine whether funding will be required or incurred in 2023.

The Defence capital budget for 2023 is €176 million. This includes an almost 25% increase in Capital funding and demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security threats.