Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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63. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding air traffic controllers and the impacts of the reduced staff force on Air Corps flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49269/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Following an operational decision taken by the military authorities earlier this year to restrict operational flight activity at Casement Aerodrome to a 5 day week (12 hours a day) service, I am advised that Air Traffic Control is now operational on a 7 day a week basis 12 hours per day (0800 – 2000).

There are a number of immediate and decisive steps my Department has taken to restore the restricted Air Traffic Control service in Casement Aerodrome to full operation as soon as possible. These measures, all now in progress, are designed to incentivise existing personnel and those considering leaving to remain in service.

In parallel with a number of HR initiatives I have approved since that decision, notably the introduction of a new Service Commitment scheme aimed at ATC personnel, my Department has entered into a contract with an external service provider to provide Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) services at the Aerodrome. The contract put in place, with the agreement of the military authorities, will assist them in restoring their capacity to return to full operational flight activities on a 24 hour 7 day a week basis.