Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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210. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of females currently qualified as military pilots within the Air Corps; the number of females currently in training to become qualified military pilots within the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47251/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have advised that there is one qualified female pilot within the Air Corps and one female currently in training to become a qualified military pilot.

In line with current policies and commitments a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. These include:

- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework.

- A Gender Equality and Diversity Officer has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces are committed to gender equality and employ a gender perspective in the planning and execution of operations both at home and overseas and in all policies and regulations. Gender Advisors are available to all Brigades and Services and trained Gender Focal Points are deployed with all overseas units and ships in order to promote a gender perspective in operations.

- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.