Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will extend the Air Corps service commitment scheme for pilots. [13474/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The retention of experienced Pilot Officers in the Air Corps has been a significant challenge for the Defence Forces in recent years. Arising from the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Public Service Pay Commission on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force, a Service Commitment Scheme was reintroduced for Air Corps pilots and came into effect in December, 2019.

The Scheme is an incentive for newly qualified pilots to remain in service after they have completed their 12-year Wings Course commitment or if recommissioned in the Permanent Defence Force, have completed their short service recommissioning and moved on to a commission without limitation as to time. The current Service Commitment Scheme has afforded eligible applicants the opportunity to commit to three, five or eight year employment terms in return for annual lump sum payments. 31 applicants have participated in the Scheme to date.  

The Service Commitment Scheme was initially open to applications for 2019, 2020 and 2021. Discussions are taking place between officials in the Department of Defence and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the future of the Scheme.