Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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703. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if staff shortages can be alleviated by hiring qualified air traffic controllers as direct entry officers in line with precedent in view of the recent acknowledgment of staffing shortages within the Air Corps, particularly within the air traffic control division. [24589/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Actions are underway to return a full level of air traffic control services to the Air Corps. Air Traffic Control training is taking place and options to ensure the longer-term sustainability of Air Traffic Control services in Baldonnel are being identified and a mentor is also now in place to aid the newly appointed ATC Squadron Commander in Baldonnel. These measures will facilitate a gradual extension of operational hours for air traffic control services in Baldonnel over the year, as newly qualified personnel develop their experience. Four personnel will complete their Air Traffic Control training between May and September this year. The Air Corps is currently inducting a further Air Traffic Control Course, and it is anticipated that up to eight (8) will be selected for training, with the aim of qualifying in May 2018 and May 2019. A new NCO promotion competition, to fill the ranks of Sergeants and above, including those in the Air Corps, has also been launched.

Air Traffic Controllers are required to be of the rank of Sergeant at least, in order to fulfil the duties of Duty Air Traffic Control Officer (DAT CO) i.e. solely responsible for the safe operation and control of the aerodrome outside normal duty hours.

In addition, in light of the challenges faced by ATC in Casement Aerodrome, a high-level civil/military review group has been established to identify options to ensure the longer term sustainability of ATC services at Baldonnel. The group has been tasked with providing a report setting out options for consideration.

In light of the actions outlined above there are no immediate plans for the recruitment of qualified Air Traffic Controllers as direct entry officers.