Questions

301. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the policy framework governing maintenance planning and performance monitoring within the Air Corps; including whether target turnaround times, serviceability thresholds, or maintenance performance benchmarks are set at Departmental level. [29313/26]

302. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any high-level, non-operational summaries of capability gap assessments relating to Air Corps platforms have been produced since 2020; and if so, whether such summaries can be provided in aggregate form [29314/26]

303. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the approved establishment level for Air Corps pilots, aircrew, and technical personnel; the current staffing levels; and the variance between approved and actual strength. [29315/26]

304. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the annual attrition rate for Air Corps pilots and technical personnel for each of the past five years; and the policy measures introduced specifically to address retention in these cohorts. [29316/26]

305. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the annual intake and completion numbers for Air Corps pilot and technical training programmes for each of the past five years; and whether current training capacity aligns with projected staffing requirements under the Equipment Development Plan. [29317/26]

306. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Department maintains an internal assessment of required versus actual Air Corps operational output across key mission categories; and if so, whether any gap between required and delivered output has been identified. [29318/26]

307. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any post-procurement value-for-money or performance evaluation has been conducted on Air Corps aircraft acquisitions since 2019; and if so, to provide details of the evaluation criteria and findings [29319/26]

308. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department has assessed the extent to which the €435 million investment in Air Corps platforms since 2019 has translated into increased operational capability; and the metrics used to determine such outcomes. [29320/26]

180. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the policy and oversight arrangements in place to monitor the operational readiness of the Air Corps fleet; the percentage availability rates for each aircraft type over the past five years; and whether he will provide the current availability rate for each platform. [27813/26]

181. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the total number of aircraft in the Air Corps fleet currently classified as fully operational, under scheduled maintenance, or unavailable for operational use; the average maintenance downtime per aircraft type; and the governance mechanisms in place to monitor and reduce downtime. [27814/26]

184. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the total capital expenditure committed to Air Corps fleet replacement and upgrade programmes since 2019; whether any cost overruns have occurred; and the value-for-money assessment frameworks applied by her Department. [27817/26]

185. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of trained pilots, aircrew, and technical staff assigned to each aircraft type within the Air Corps; the current vacancy rates; and the policy measures in place to ensure alignment between staffing levels and operational fleet requirements. [27818/26]

186. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the annual intake, training completion rates, and attrition rates for Air Corps pilots and technical personnel over the past five years; and the measures being taken to address retention challenges. [27819/26]

187. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the annual operational output of the Air Corps, including maritime patrol hours, search and rescue support, and other mission categories, over the past five years; and how this compares to the Department’s assessed operational requirements. [27820/26]

188. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether, and the extent that, the State has relied on external or contracted aviation services to compensate for Air Corps capacity limitations in the past five years; and the associated cost. [27821/26]

189. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the reporting structures in place within her Department to monitor Air Corps operational capability; whether regular performance reports are produced; and if she will provide copies of the most recent reports. [27822/26]

541. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence the number of student pilots of the Air Corps that have undergone basic initial pilot training with the United States Air Force or associated USA training provider in the last 20 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24793/26]

542. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence the cost of training with the United States Air Force or associated USA training provider inclusive of training, salaries, travel and subsistence, in total and per pilot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24794/26]

543. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence the average duration of these courses with the United States Air Force or associated USA training provider and if the minister will make a statement on this for written reply. [24795/26]

544. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence if pilots undergoing training with the United States Air Force or associated USA training provider require additional conversion training to the Air Corps PC-9 aircraft upon their return to Ireland (details supplied) and if so, the amount of training and the additional cost before final qualification as a pilot; and if she will make a statement on the matter.…

545. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence the number of pilots of the Air Corps who have undergone helicopter training with the United States Air Force or associated USA training provider in the past 20 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24806/26]

546. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence the cost of training with the United States Air Force or associated USA training provider inclusive of training, salaries, travel and subsistence, in total and per pilot.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24807/26]

547. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence the average duration of these courses with the United States Air Force or associated USA training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24808/26]

548. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence if pilots undergoing training with the United States Air Force or associated USA training provider require additional conversion training to the EC-135 helicopter upon their return to Ireland (details supplied); if so, the amount of training and the additional cost before final qualification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24809/26]

549. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Defence the average duration of these courses within the Irish Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24812/26]