Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 2

Written Answers. - Air Corps Recruitment.

Seán Barrett

Question:

93 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the situation regarding recruitment of pilots to the Air Corps; if any new cadets have been recruited; the situation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9257/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

125 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the situation regarding recruitment of pilots to the Air Corps; if any new cadets have been recruited; the situation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9317/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 125 together.

I am satisfied with the position regarding the recruitment of Air Corps pilots. The following table sets out the numbers of Air Corps cadets recruited over the past four years.

Year	Air Corps Cadets Recruited
1995	10
1996	10
1997	10
1998	11

It is proposed to recruit a further 12 cadets for the Air Corps in 1999. There are a total of 83 pilots in the Air Corps at present. Seven cadets are due to be commissioned in 1999 and a further 11 are due for commissioning in 2000.