Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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85. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies for technicians at airman rank in the Air Corps; the number of technicians in the Air Corps in training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37366/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have advised that there are currently 76 vacancies for Aircraft Technicians at Airman rank. There are 35 apprentice technicians currently in training with further inductions expected in October 2019.

The recent report of the Public Service Pay Commission examined recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces made a series of recommendations. The recommendations on increases to MSA, the reintroduction of a service commitment scheme for pilots in the Air Corps and changes to duty allowances and are being considered by the Defence Forces Representative Associations. Work is also ongoing to implement other recommendations in the Report, including a review of technical pay.