Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he outline the budget available within his Department to secure a replacement Government jet, which is recommended to be replaced in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14141/23]

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 235 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 joint Civil/Military project team has been established and planning has commenced for 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. No formal budget has been set for this project at this stage.

Multi-Annual capital funding allocations are framed by the overarching National Development Plan, with annual allocations negotiated as part of the annual Estimates process. In 2021, a mid term review of the National Development Plan was undertaken and the capital allocation for Defence was increased to €566 million for the period 2022 to 2025.

As part of the Budget Estimates process for 2023, and in line with this Government’s commitment to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Defence capital allocation for 2023 has increased significantly, by €35 million, to €176 million, a 25% increase on 2022, an allocation which represents the single biggest annual capital investment ever provided to Defence.

The allocation for 2024 will be determined as part of the annual Estimates process later this year.