Parliamentary questions

199. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether a cost-benefit analysis was conducted comparing the acquisition of a smaller number of higher-capability helicopters versus a larger number of lower-cost rotary-wing aircraft for Air Corps operational and training requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36016/26]

200. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Department conducted a formal operational requirements analysis prior to the acquisition of the Airbus H145 helicopters for the Air Corps; whether alternative aircraft categories or configurations were assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36212/26]

201. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the lifecycle operating costs, maintenance costs, and projected service-life costs associated with the Airbus H145 helicopters were independently assessed prior to procurement approval; whether comparative modelling was undertaken against alternative rotary-wing platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36213/26]

202. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Government considered the acquisition of a larger number of lower-cost helicopters in place of a smaller number of higher-capability aircraft for pilot training, utility support, and general Air Corps operational requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36214/26]

203. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the acquisition of the Airbus H145 helicopters forms part of a wider long-term rotary-wing fleet modernisation strategy for the Air Corps; whether additional helicopter acquisitions remain planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36215/26]

204. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department has conducted any assessment of the strategic implications arising from dependence upon foreign-origin mission systems, avionics, software, or specialist operational components in relation to the Airbus H145 fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36216/26]

205. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Airbus H145 helicopters procured for the Air Corps are intended solely for pilot training and utility support purposes, or whether the aircraft are also intended for operational, tactical, security, force-protection, or armed support roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36217/26]

206. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any weapons systems, weapons mounts, weapons integration capability, force-protection systems, or armed operational configurations have been procured, approved, planned, or considered in connection with the Airbus H145 helicopters acquired for the Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36218/26]

207. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether Cabinet approval was specifically sought in relation to any armed operational capability, weapons integration capability, or tactical mission configuration associated with the Airbus H145 helicopters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36219/26]

208. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department has developed an operational doctrine, mission profile framework, or strategic capability assessment relating to the intended operational use of the Airbus H145 helicopters within the Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36220/26]

209. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Airbus H145 helicopters acquired for the Air Corps are capable of being configured for armed operations, tactical deployment, counter-terrorism support, force protection, or special operations support; whether such capabilities formed part of the procurement assessment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36221…

210. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any review has been conducted into the consistency of current State aviation procurement policy across the Defence Forces, Air Corps, and Garda Air Support Unit, including procurement standards, certification arrangements, operational oversight, and compliance with stated Government procurement policies; and if she will make a statemen…

211. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Department of Defence or Air Corps will assume responsibility for airworthiness oversight, operational certification, or regulatory assurance relating to the Airbus H145 helicopters procured for use by the Garda Air Support Unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36229/26]

212. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Government has conducted a legal or regulatory assessment concerning Ireland's international civil aviation obligations in relation to the operation, certification and oversight of State or military aircraft utilised in support of An Garda Síochána operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36230/26]

213. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence to provide a copy of the recent correspondence issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to her Department referred to in media reports (details supplied); if she will provide details of the percentage reduction(s) in spending in her Department referenced in the correspondence; and if she will ma…

214. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a breakdown of spending on advertising that was funded or overseen by her Department, and bodies under its aegis, in each of the past five years, including a breakdown by medium, that is, radio, television and social media, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36486/26]

15. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of long-service increment recommendations contained within the Commission on the Defence Forces report; and the measures being taken to improve recruitment and retention within the Defence Forces. [35390/26]

16. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide an update on outstanding arrears owed to serving and retired members of the Army Ranger Wing and Defence Forces chefs relating to allowances and payments previously withheld; whether retired personnel will be included in any resolution process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35391/26]

17. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Departments which have been completed on time and within budget in Galway in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35649/26]

291. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Longford in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34079/26]

292. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the expected date on which the Strategic Workforce Plan for the Defence Forces will be submitted for her consideration; whether it is intended to publish the plan in full or in part; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34126/26]

293. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the forthcoming Strategic Workforce Plan will include defined workforce targets, timelines, and key performance indicators for each service branch, including the Air Corps; and if she will outline the nature of those targets and oversight mechanisms [34127/26]

294. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the approved establishment strength and current overall personnel strength of the Air Corps for each year from 2023 to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34128/26]

295. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of authorised pilot posts within the Air Corps and the number currently filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34129/26]

296. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel currently in the Air Corps pilot training pipeline; the annual intake capacity; and the projected annual output over the next three years. [34130/26]