Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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303. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of leasing five helicopters for the Coast Guard from a company (details supplied) over a ten-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11131/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Coast Guard Search and Rescue Aviation services are provided under contract. The service contract is currently transitioning from CHCI to Bristow Ireland. In August 2023, Government approved the decision to award a 10-year service contract that provides for the operation of four SAR helicopter bases in Sligo, Waterford, Shannon and Dublin in addition to a Fixed Wing service also to be located in Shannon.

The new contract will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to deliver on its core Search and Rescue services in addition to provision of aeromedical support to the HSE and day and night aeromedical serves to the offshore islands.

The contract was awarded following a comprehensive public procurement process which was undertaken fully in accordance with all national and EU procurement rules. It provides for delivery of services as set out in the contract and the Department has no role managing aircraft supply arrangements. That is entirely a matter for the contracted service provider. The total cost of the new contract for the standard 10-year contract term for the helicopter element, plus the 5-year minimum term for the fixed wing element amounts to €665.3m (Ex VAT), €816m, incl. VAT with options to extend both elements out to 13 years.