Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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66. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to bring Baldonnel air traffic control up to full operational capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7343/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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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 be aware, the Air Corps is currently experiencing shortages of trained air traffic control (ATC) personnel. While a plan is in place to return a full level of air traffic control services in Baldonnel which includes ongoing training of ATC personnel, the Department is also in the process of identifying options to ensure the longer-term sustainability of ATC services in Baldonnel.

An ATC Captain to Commandant Competition was recently concluded and further targeted recruitment from within the ranks of the Defence Forces will continue in 2017 to address the current shortages.

I have previously advised the Deputy that, at the request of the military authorities, an appropriately qualified individual with significant ATC experience will provide mentorship to certain ATC personnel in Baldonnel. The Irish Aviation Authority has been approached to second an appropriate individual. Agreement, in principle, is in place and this mentorship is expected to commence in the near future.