Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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204. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel who re-enlisted to the Air Corps under the Air Corps loyalty scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37438/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On 1 April last, the former Minister with responsibility for Defence launched a scheme to re-enlist former Permanent Defence Force (PDF) enlisted personnel. The focus of the scheme is on former PDF personnel with particular skillsets identified by the Chief of Staff, where shortages exist. 

Following recommendations by the Chief of Staff, and with my approval, a total of 38 former PDF personnel have been inducted to date,  5 of which are former Air Corps personnel.  Further recommendations from the Chief of Staff are, I understand,  imminent.

Separately, a scheme is in place since October 2019, which provides for the re-commissioning of former Officers with specialist skills and where vacancies exist. To date, 5 Flying Officers have been re-commissioned, with 7 further former Air Corps Officers (6 pilots and 1 Air Traffic Controller) due to be re-commissioned this month.

In addition, there exists a Service Commitment Scheme for Air Corps pilots which was reintroduced in 2019, arising from the recommendations in the Public Service Pay Commission’s report on recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces. The Scheme was introduced with a view to assisting in the retention in service of experienced operational pilots in key appointments. A total of 15 officers availed of the 2019 scheme, while a further 10 officers are participating in the 2020 scheme.