Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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699. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will consider removing the ban on non-commissioned officer, NCO, pilots in order to address the pilot shortage, as was done in the 1940s during the Emergency. [24454/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to maintaining the establishment of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. The manpower requirements of the Permanent Defence Force are monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of the three services. Personnel are posted on the basis of operational need across the organisation both at home and abroad. As there is a significant turnover of personnel in the Defence Forces, targeted recruitment takes place on a regular basis so as to maintain personnel numbers at or near the agreed strength levels.

As with other areas of the public service, challenges have arisen in relation to the recruitment and retention of personnel in particular areas of expertise. The Air Corps has experienced retirements of highly experienced personnel and these retirements are outstripping the recruitment and training of replacement personnel. The loss of experienced personnel is driven by a range of factors, including the availability of attractive job opportunities in the wider economy. The loss of experienced personnel, including pilots, has impacted on the availability of Air Corps services.

However, every effort is being made to address the personnel requirements of the Air Corps. In relation to pilot retention, the implementation of a range of proposals, including professional and personal development, working environment, operational deployments, career advancement and terms and conditions, designed to enhance retention of serving Air Corps pilots are being advanced by a civilian - military working group. In addition, the possibility of recruiting Air Corps personnel who may have left the service is also being examined.

In light of the actions outlined above, there are currrently no plans in relation to providing for NCO pilot officers.