Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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69. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Air Corps pilot service commitment scheme will be retained in the long-term following its success and learnings gained from previous schemes; if he will extend this scheme further to the air crew and technical personnel to ensure that these vital services continue to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21072/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Public Service Pay Commission report on recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces recommended the reintroduction of an Air Corps Flying Officers service commitment scheme. Accordingly, a service commitment scheme was re-introduced in 2019.

Under the terms of the Scheme applicants must commit to a three, five or eight year employment term. Payments for service commitments are made through staged annual payments. A terminal bonus payment is made to those Air Corps Flying Officers who commit to a full period of five years or eight years and in certain other limited circumstances.

I am pleased to say that a total of 15 Air Corps Flying Officers successfully applied for the Service Commitment Scheme in 2019. The 2020 Scheme which was launched in July 2020 attracted a further 10 applicants, bringing the total number of Officers availing of the Air Corps Flying Officers - Service Commitment Scheme to 25. There will be a further iteration of the Scheme in 2021.

There are no plans to extend the scheme beyond 2021 and there are no plans to extend the scheme to other personnel in the Air Corps.

I am pleased to say that a recuitment campaign for Aircraft Apprentice Technicians was recently launched and further recruitment intiatives are also under consideration.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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70. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a guarantee will be given that any changes necessary to Defence Force Regulations CS4 and its accompanying administrative instructions will be carried out in the case that the Air Corps is directed by Government to provide part of the search and rescue contract currently being overseen by the Department of Transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20948/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain. From within the Defence Organisation, both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an “as available” basis. A Service Level Agreement is in place setting out their roles and responsibilities in this regard.

No decision has yet been taken to change any aspect of the current delivery model of Search and Rescue (SAR) aviation services in Ireland's SAR domain. There is, as you are aware, an ongoing project under the remit of the Department of Transport, to consider, develop and bring to fruition a new Marine Search and Rescue aviation contract for future service provision.

In this context, late last year, I asked my officials to engage further with the Department of Transport to explore the option of the Air Corps providing some element of the next generation SAR aviation service while at the same time ensuring that the service meets domestic and international obligations for SAR and represents value for money for the State. This process is currently ongoing.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability and ultimate viability of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable them to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. In terms of the SAR process underway, ultimately, decisions on the scope, nature and procurement strategy for the next service will be a matter for Government once the detailed business case has been finalised.