Written answers
Thursday, 21 November 2019
Department of Defence
Air Corps
Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of the pilot retention scheme in the Air Corps announced in July 2019; the results to date; and the number of pilots and other grades in the Air Corps that resigned their commission and retired from the service since 4 July 2019. [48397/19]
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Air Corps Flying Officers Service Commitment Scheme has been restored arising from the implementation of the Public Service Pay Commission’s report on recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces.
The scheme envisages commitments to service ranging from three to eight years and payments made for this commitment on an annual basis. Those who commit for periods of five to eight years will also qualify for a terminal bonus dependent on the length and structure of their commitment.
An annual payment of just over €22,000 per annum will be paid to Flying Officers holding the ranks of Captain, Commandant or Lieutenant Colonel. These ranks will also receive a terminal bonus (once off) of between approximately €14,800 and €37,000 depending on form of commitment given.
In respect of the remaining period encompassed by the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the annual payment will attract the 5% restoration of cuts to allowances that applied under FEMPI, scheduled for 1stOctober 2020. Following this, the annual payment and terminal bonus will attract increases or reductions in line with prevailing Public Service Pay Policy over the remaining period of the commitment.
Table of terminal bonus
| Year of Entry to Scheme | Length of Commitment (years) | Terminal Bonus * Represents the full rate of payment. (see text) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | Nil |
| 2019 | 5 | €22,213 |
| 2019 | 8 | €37,022 |
| 2019 | 3 + 2 | Nil + €14,809* |
| 2019 | 3 + 2 + 3 | Nil + €14,809* + €9,872* |
| 2019 | 5 + 3 | €22,213 + €9,872* |
Therefore, a flying officer (Captain to Lt. Colonel ranks) committing to a full eight year commitment from the start could earn a total €204,000 approx. over the lifetime of his commitment under the scheme. This is in addition to his normal pay and allowances.
The data in relation to the number of personnel who have departed from the Air Corps since the 4th July is being compiled and will issue to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
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