Questions

240. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 64320/26 and 64321/26 of 16 September 2026 (details supplied), the overall Air Corps fleet availability expressed as a single annual percentage for each of the years 2022 to 2025, without breakdown by aircraft type, base or role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68777/26]

234. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the total flying hours recorded by the Pilatus PC-12 fleet in each year since entry into service in 2020; the availability rate of the fleet in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60468/26]

158. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the reasons no personnel completed pilot training in the Air Corps in 2023, despite 11 personnel being inducted that year; the attrition or dropout rate at each stage of pilot training for that cohort; whether the washout is linked to instructor capacity, aircraft availability, or other constraints under the Equipment Development Plan; and if she will make a stat…

159. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who left the Air Corps in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and to date in 2026, broken down by category (details supplied); the breakdown of reasons for departure where recorded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49278/26]

160. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the current strength versus establishment, in both numeric and percentage terms, for aircraft maintenance technicians and air traffic controllers specifically within the Air Corps, as distinct from the overall Air Corps establishment figure; the average time taken to fill a vacancy in each of these specialist categories; and if she will make a statement on the ma…

161. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence of the 800 applications received for the 2026 pilot and air traffic controller cadetship streams, the number that proceeded to interview; the number offered a place; the number who commenced training; the historical dropout or failure rate during the 30 month pilot cadetship training pipeline for each of the past five intakes; and if she will make a statement on …

326. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of authorised pilot posts currently approved within the Air Corps; the number currently filled; the number vacant; and the corresponding figures for each year from 2023 to date in 2026. [39221/26]

327. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of Air Corps personnel currently in pilot training; the annual training intake capacity; the projected annual pilot output for 2026, 2027 and 2028 [39222/26]

323. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the procurement mechanism used for the acquisition of the four Airbus H145 helicopters for the Air Corps; whether the acquisition was conducted through an open competitive tender process, a negotiated procedure, a Government-to-Government arrangement, or another procurement framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37022/26]

324. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any exemption from standard public procurement procedures or EU defence procurement requirements was applied in relation to the acquisition of the four Airbus H145 helicopters for the Air Corps; the legal basis relied upon for any such exemption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37023/26]

325. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether a formal value-for-money assessment, benchmarking exercise, or comparative procurement analysis was conducted prior to approval of the acquisition of the four Airbus H145 helicopters; whether comparisons were made with similar acquisitions by other EU member states; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37024/26]

326. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the total approved acquisition cost associated with the four Airbus H145 helicopters for the Air Corps, including airframes, training, maintenance support, spare parts, mission systems, avionics, and associated infrastructure costs; and if she will provide a breakdown of same. [37025/26]

327. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces were considered during the procurement process relating to the acquisition of the four Airbus H145 helicopters; whether the Department assessed medium-lift helicopter capability requirements as part of that process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37026/26]

328. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any Israeli-manufactured, Israeli-developed, or Israeli-origin systems, avionics, software, communications equipment, sensors, or mission components form part of the Airbus H145 helicopters acquired for the Air Corps; whether ministerial approval was specifically sought or granted in relation to any such components; and if she will make a statement on the…

329. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether Cabinet approval was required and obtained in relation to the acquisition of the four Airbus H145 helicopters for the Air Corps; the date on which approval was granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37028/26]

330. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any independent external consultancy, technical advisory body, or procurement specialist was engaged to advise the Department in relation to the acquisition of the four Airbus H145 helicopters; the identity of any such body; the cost of such consultancy services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37029/26]

331. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the expected operational role of the four Airbus H145 helicopters within the Air Corps fleet structure; whether the aircraft are classified by the Department as light utility helicopters, medium-lift helicopters, or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37030/26]

332. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any further helicopter procurement programme remains under consideration by the Department in relation to medium-lift capability for the Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37031/26]

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]

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]

297. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any formal risk assessment has been conducted by her Department or the Defence Forces regarding current staffing levels in the Air Corps; and if so, to outline the findings at a policy level. [34131/26]

298. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the interim measures in place to maintain operational capability in the Air Corps pending completion of the Strategic Workforce Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34132/26]

103. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number and percentage of Air Corps aircraft that are currently fully operational, partially operational, and unavailable for service due to maintenance requirements or staffing constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32878/26]