Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I announced the launch of a new recruitment campaign for enlisted personnel in both the Permanent and the Reserve Defence Forces on Friday, 7 March 2014. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel and the current campaign will enable this to be achieved. Recruitment of personnel to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps is determined in line with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As such, the Defence Forces plan to induct up to 400 enlisted personnel to the Permanent Defence Force in 2014.

In regard to specific Air Corps appointments, there are currently 17 pilots in training and it is planned to recruit a further nine Air Corps cadets this year, who will serve as pilots on commissioning. In addition to the 27 aircraft mechanic apprentices currently in training, it is planned to recruit a further 20 apprentices this year. Details of these competitions will be available on the Defence Forces website, , when the competitions commence. Requirements for additional recruits in the Air Corps will be addressed from the general service recruitment competition which is currently ongoing and from among line officers serving or due to be commissioned in the Permanent Defence Force.

In regard to technical and line NCO promotions and appointments in the Air Corps, a new promotion scheme for NCOs was piloted approximately two years ago and a large number of promotions were made from this competition. My Department is currently in the process of reviewing the pilot and is considering some changes to streamline the competitive process. These will then be discussed with the representative association, PDFORRA. I expect the new promotion competition to fill line and technical NCO vacancies across the Defence Forces to commence in the next few months.

I am advised by the Chief of Staff that the required operational strength of the Air Corps remains adequate and that the Air Corps is sufficiently resourced to continue to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government.

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