I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 23, 49, 52, 58, 68, 96 and 129 together.
To date in 1998 two applications for permission to retire have been received from pilot officers of the Air Corps, one a commandant with a current rating on the Gulfstream IV aircraft and the other a captain with a current rating on the Squirrel helicopter. Both officers have been granted permission to retire in 1999.
As of 31 March 1998 there was a total of 990 personnel serving with the Air Corps, 86 of whom were qualified pilots.
The service commitment scheme for the Air Corps pilots introduced by my Department last year together with ongoing training of pilots and annual recruitment of Air Corps cadets is intended to maintain a continuous supply of well trained pilots for the Air Corps. There are currently seven senior Air Corps cadets in training and a further ten cadets are due to commence training in May of this year. A further intake of Air Corps cadets is planned for the autumn. It may be necessary, however, to engage a civilian pilot or pilots as aircraft captains later this year due to the unprecedented number of retirements from the Air Corps.
Advantage is taken of the availability abroad of aircraft simulators to train Air Corps flying officers. The question of having an Air Corps reserve element is under consideration as part of a special study on the future role of the Reserve Defence Force.
As a result of the high number of retirements, the Air Corps does not have the personnel resources required to service the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources' helicopter based at Dublin Airport.