Michael Creed
Question:27 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Defence the developments, if any, in relation to pilot training in the Air Corps; and the plans, if any, he has to deal with the crisis. [17935/98]
Written Answers. - Air Corps Training.
Ivan Yates
Question:119 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Defence the developments, if any, in relation to pilot training in the Air Corps; and the plans, if any, he has to deal with the crisis. [17936/98]
143
asked the Minister for Defence the personnel in the Air Corps; and the number of new recruits coming through the system. [26884/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 119 and 143 together.
The strength of the Air Corps on 30 September 1998, the latest date for which figures are available, was 1,011 personnel. The Price Waterhouse report on the Air Corps recommends an overall strength of 930. It is expected that 20 general service recruits will be enlisted in the Air Corps in the near future and I understand that proposals for the enlistment of a number of apprentice aircraft mechanics are being prepared by the military authorities. An additional direct entry air traffic control officer is also expected to be appointed shortly.
There are at present a total of 84 flying officers in the Air Corps. Eleven Air Corps cadets were recruited in 1998. There are also a total of seven senior cadets in their second year of training who are due to be commissioned as fully trained flying officers in 1999. The ongoing training of cadets combined with the introduction of the service commitment scheme for Air Corps pilots which was introduced in 1997, is designed to help alleviate the difficulties in regard to pilot numbers which have arisen due to the unprecedented level of retirements from the Air Corps in the past year.
The question of training non-commissioned personnel as pilots will also be further examined in the context of implementing the recommendations of the Price Waterhouse report. It is open to non-commissioned personnel to apply for Air Corps cadetships and a number of such personnel have been commissioned in the past having successfully completed cadetships.