Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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1735. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on shortages within the Airs Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35502/17]

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.

The Air Corps (Pilot Officer) Cadetship competition was launched at the end of March 2017 and it is planned to induct new Air Corps Cadets in Sept 2017 from this competition. There are currently three Cadet Classes at various stages of their Pilot Officer ‘Wings Course’. Cadets of the Senior Cadet Class are due to be commissioned as Pilot Officers in Q4 of 2017. 

On 13 March 2017, a class of 11 new Apprentice Military Aircraft Technicians began their training and there are three classes ongoing. The Defence Forces are currently advertising for Apprentice Military Aircraft Technicians and hope to induct 25 new Apprentices from this competition in Sept/Oct 2017. A new NCO promotion competition, to fill the ranks of Sergeants and above, including those in the Air Corps, has also been launched. There are also General Service Recruits in training.

A Working Group comprised of Civil and Military personnel was established to look at ways of addressing the issue of how to retain sufficiently experienced Pilot Officers within the Air Corps. The Working Group’s report contained a number of recommendations ranging from increasing recruitment levels to examining the current terms and conditions of pilots. Work on the implementation of the Working Group’s recommendations is currently ongoing by both Civil and Military staff of the Defence Organisation. In addition and as part of a wider initiative, the possibility of recruiting former personnel who have left the Defence Forces is also being examined.

There are a number of personnel undertaking ATC training. A gradual extension of operational hours for air traffic control services in Baldonnel has already commenced and it is anticipated that this will continue as newly qualified personnel develop their experience and posts are filled. Options to ensure the longer-term sustainability of Air Traffic Control services in Baldonnel are also being identified.

It is important to note that while there is significant action underway, there is a requirement to continue to build the capacity of the Air Corps and it will take some time for a return to previous levels of capability.