Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Defence the structure of air traffic control for all the airports within his control; the number of staff assigned to each airport; the rating of each member; the number of staff that are determined as training personnel; if each airport has the correct allocation of trained officers; if any airport has any officers acting in a higher capacity due to the embargo on promotion in the Defence Forces; if so, has he or is he proposing to take action to overcome same; if he is proposing any review of the overall position of ATC within the Defence Forces; if so, the time scale of such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14004/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Military Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel are assigned to Air Corps Headquarters in Baldonnel and to the 505 Squadron of the Air Corps, with the former element providing expert advice at Air Corps and Defence Force level, liaison with external bodies and oversight of the ATC function. The 505 Squadron provides the ATC service at Baldonnel and for airspace designated for the use of the Air Corps which enables military pilots to conduct their flights in a safe environment. The service is achieved by Air Traffic Controllers transmitting instructions to pilots in the form of 'air traffic control clearances' and by providing vital flight information and navigational assistance. In addition, air traffic controllers are responsible for providing an 'Alerting and Emergency Service' and initiating 'Search and Rescue' action for aircraft which may require assistance. Civilian aircraft operating within, or transiting through military airspace, are also provided with a service appropriate to their particular needs.

The service is provided by a number of controllers who man a variety of co-located and interdependent control positions, collectively called the 'ATC Watch'. A standard ATC Watch normally comprises of an ATC Watch Supervisor, Aerodrome Controller and Approach Radar Controller. There are currently six fully qualified and five partially qualified personnel in Air Traffic Control. All eleven personnel have Tower qualifications and five of these also have Radar qualifications. Eight personnel including two Air Corps Headquarters personnel are on-the-job training instructors who may provide training to controllers in Air Traffic Control positions. On the job instruction is provided at all times during normal working hours to ensure maximum use is made of suitable traffic situations. There are two personnel currently undergoing on the job training. In 2010 six controllers left and replacements are currently being trained. There are two personnel currently performing duties of a higher grade.

I have no plans to carry out a review of the ATC function within the Defence Forces.