Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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208. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will outline the future plans for Baldonnel Aerodrome; the number of personnel stationed there; if there are plans to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17744/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government sets out significant investment targets for the defence sector over the coming years which builds on the already considerable investment made in recent years. In terms of built infrastructure, the Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. In order to further accelerate the development of Defence Forces infrastructure a series of masterplans will be developed to identify immediate and long term infrastructural requirements.

The first such masterplan was recently completed and sets out a number of recommendations in relation to the development of the aerodrome in response to the level of ambition this Government has set for the Air Corps. This report is being assessed by my officials and I will be briefed by them on its implementation shortly.

In relation to personnel, the strength of the Air Corps as at 9 April 2025, was 726 personnel out of the establishment of 886 personnel. A separate General Service recruitment competition was launched specifically for Air Corps recruits in November 2022 and this remains ongoing. In addition, a new Direct Entry competition (Aeronautical Engineer Officer) resulted in 5 inductions in 2024 and a new cadetship competition stream, for Air Traffic Controllers, was well received and resulted in 3 cadets being inducted. The 2025 Air Corps cadetships have closed for applications.

In keeping with the CODF recommendations on force design as approved by Government, the military authorities have established an office of Strategic Force Design along with force design offices for each of the three services, including the Air Corps, which will undertake the significant work required to give effect to these recommendations.