Written answers

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Department of Defence

Air Traffic Control Services

All Written Answers on 7 Feb 2017 « Previous answer Next answer »

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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710. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of air traffic controllers currently serving at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; the number employed in each year from 2010 to 2016 inclusive; the length of service of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5947/17]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy sets out the number of personnel with air traffic control qualifications. The data supplied for each year is as pertained on the 31stJanuary of that year and the data supplied for 2016 is for the most recent date available i.e. 31stDecember 2016.

It should be noted that the total number of fully qualified controllers include controllers who also provide management functions such as the Chief Air Traffic Services Officer, management and policy advice functions, as well as staff required to deliver training. During the period May 2010 – Aug 2013 Air Traffic Control service, outside of core duty hours was replaced by a lower category of Flight Information Services (FIS).

The length of service of each individual is categorised between partially qualified and fully qualified. Partially qualified Air Traffic Services (ATS) personnel refers to individuals who have completed, and passed all examinations relating to Aerodrome control only; they still may be required to conduct full-time on the job training in other ATS disciplines. Until such time as they have received qualifications in both Aerodrome and Approach control they are not considered fully qualified and cannot be employed in a single controller environment. This excludes them from conducting duties and performing supervisory functions.

YEAR
CONTROLLERS
Fully Qualified
Partially Qualified
2010
18
12
6

NAME
YEARS SERVICE FULLY QUALIFIED*
YEARS SERVICE QUALIFIED
(PARTIALLY – AERODROME ONLY)
YEARS SERVICE

(DEFENCE FORCES)



1
22
22
25
2
24
29
34
3
3
6
16
4
1
6
9
5
22
22
31
6
15
19
26
7
14
17
22
8
3
8
14
9
14
15
20
10
1
6
16
11
1
2
15
12
-
2
6
13
-
1
4
14
-
1
9
15
-
1
8
16
-
1
9
17
-
8
15
18
7
7
16

YEAR
CONTROLLERS
Fully Qualified
Partially Qualified
2011
13
7
6

NAME
YEARS SERVICE FULLY QUALIFIED*
YEARS SERVICE QUALIFIED

(PARTIALLY – AERODROME ONLY)
YEARS SERVICE

(DEFENCE FORCES)



1
23
23
26
2
25
30
35
3
4
7
17
4
2
7
10
5
-
2
10
6
15
16
21
7
-
9
16
8
-
2
5
9
2
3
16
10
1
3
7
11
-
2
10
12
-
2
9
13
-
1
5

YEAR
CONTROLLERS
Fully Qualified
Partially Qualified
2012
14
9
5

NAME
YEARS SERVICE FULLY QUALIFIED*
YEARS SERVICE QUALIFIED

(PARTIALLY – AERODROME ONLY)
YEARS SERVICE

(DEFENCE FORCES)



1
24
24
27
2
5
8
18
3
4
8
11
4
-
3
11
5
16
17
22
6
-
10
17
7
1
3
6
8
3
4
17
9
2
4
8
10
1
3
10
11
1
3
11
12
-
2
6
13
-
1
6
14
-
1
17

YEAR
CONTROLLERS
Fully Qualified
Partially Qualified
2013
17
9
8

NAME
YEARS SERVICE FULLY QUALIFIED*
YEARS SERVICE QUALIFIED

(PARTIALLY – AERODROME ONLY)
YEARS SERVICE

(DEFENCE FORCES)



1
25
25
28
2
3
9
12
3
-
4
12
4
17
18
23
5
-
11
18
6
2
4
7
7
4
5
18
8
3
5
9
9
2
4
12
10
-
1
18
11
-
2
7
12
-
3
7
13
-
1
10
14
-
1
8
15
-
1
9
16
1
2
18
17
2
4
11

YEAR
CONTROLLERS
Fully Qualified
Partially Qualified
2014
17
13
4

NAME
YEARS SERVICE FULLY QUALIFIED*
YEARS SERVICE QUALIFIED

(PARTIALLY – AERODROME ONLY)
YEARS SERVICE

(DEFENCE FORCES)



1
26
26
29
2
4
10
12
3
18
19
24
4
12
12
19
5
3
5
8
6
7
6
19
7
4
6
10
8
3
5
13
9
-
2
19
10
-
3
8
11
1
4
8
12
-
2
11
13
1
2
9
14
1
2
10
15
-
1
9
16
2
3
19
17
3
5
12

YEAR
CONTROLLERS
Fully Qualified
Partially Qualified
2015
17
14
3

NAME
YEARS SERVICE FULLY QUALIFIED*
YEARS SERVICE QUALIFIED

(PARTIALLY – AERODROME ONLY)
YEARS SERVICE

(DEFENCE FORCES)



1
27
27
30
2
5
11
13
3
19
20
25
4
13
13
20
5
4
6
9
6
8
7
20
7
6
8
11
8
4
6
14
9
-
3
20
10
-
4
8
11
2
5
9
12
1
3
12
13
2
3
10
14
2
3
11
15
-
2
9
16
3
4
20
17
4
6
13

YEAR
CONTROLLERS
Fully Qualified
Partially Qualified
2016
14
11
3

NAME
YEARS SERVICE FULLY QUALIFIED*
YEARS SERVICE QUALIFIED

(PARTIALLY – AERODROME ONLY)
YEARS SERVICE

(DEFENCE FORCES)



1
28
28
31
2
20
21
26
3
14
14
21
4
5
7
10
5
9
8
21
6
7
9
12
7
5
7
15
8
-
4
21
9
-
5
10
10
2
4
13
11
3
4
11
12
3
4
12
13
-
3
10
14
5
7
13

Does this answer the above question?
Yes! 4 people think so!
No! 2 people think not!

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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711. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of days during 2016 and to date in 2017 in which it was necessary to bring in a civilian supervisor or overseer of air traffic control at Baldonnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5948/17]

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

712. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of days, being midnight to midnight, or parts thereof, during 2016 and to date in 2017 in which it was not or would not have been possible for aircraft to land at Baldonnel due to insufficient air traffic control cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5949/17]

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

713. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of days, being midnight to midnight, or parts thereof, during 2016 and to date in 2017 in which it was necessary to request flights to land at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5950/17]

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

714. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if it was not possible for the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to use Baldonnel on her recent visit in view of the fact there could be no guarantee of sufficient air traffic control at Casement Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5951/17]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 711 to 714, inclusive, together.

The Air Corps is responsible for the provision of air navigation services in areas of Irish airspace designated for use by the Defence Forces including the management of Air Traffic at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

As the Deputy will appreciate, for operational & security reasons, it would not be appropriate to disclose precise details relating to operational matters or capabilities.

What I can advise the Deputy is that during 2016 and to date in 2017 it has not been necessary to request Air Corps flights to land at Dublin Airport. I am further advised that there has been no civilian supervisor brought into Baldonnel in relation to air traffic control.

I can confirm to the Deputy that there are shortages of air traffic control personnel and a plan is in place to bring Baldonnel air traffic control up to full operational capacity.

With regard to the recent visit referred to by the Deputy, I am advised that it is a matter for foreign governments to decide what airports are used for their visits to Ireland.

Does this answer the above question?
Yes! 4 people think so!
No! 2 people think not!

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