Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, there is currently a shortage of pilots in the Air Corps. As one of a range of measures to address this issue, the general staff and General Officer Commanding of the Air Corps recommended the initiation of a scheme to recommission former Air Corps officers. There is also scope to recommission officers in other specialist streams across the Defence Forces, if shortages exist. There have been previously been instances of former officers returning to the Defence Forces. In the absence of a standard policy for dealing with such requests, each case was dealt with on an individual basis and governed by the rules, regulations and circumstances that applied at the time. In the absence of a defined policy framework, the processing of such applications posed several difficulties, including defining procedures, identifying the requirements and needs of the organisation and agreeing terms and conditions with the individual. In order to allow for a transparent scheme to facilitate the re-entry of former officers of the Defence Forces, a policy framework setting out terms and conditions was necessary.

The terms and conditions for the recommissioning scheme include the provision that the recommissioning of former officers of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, shall only be considered in specific circumstances where the Chief of Staff has identified a deficiency in personnel, military capability or expertise in the Defence Forces that cannot be resolved in a sustainable or timely manner from within existing personnel resources. These terms and conditions apply to all former officers of the Defence Forces and not just to the Air Corps. Recommissioned officers will be offered a short service commission for a period of three years. Within that period, they cannot compete for promotion or block a promotion opportunity for existing officers. The recommissioned officers may only be offered a substantive appointment after three years on the advice of the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General. This provides a fair and balanced approach for the former officer and existing members. It is not realistic to suggest that vacancies should be maintained indefinitely for the purpose of ensuring promotions for existing members.

I am pleased to state that two former officers have applied to rejoin the Air Corps. Their applications are currently being progressed by the military authorities.

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