Terence Flanagan
Question:113. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding apprenticeships (details supplied) under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48201/14]
View answerThursday, 11 December 2014
Questions (113)
Written answers
The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis. Recruitment of personnel to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps is determined in line with the operational requirements of each of the three services. To this end, apprenticeship competitions are held, as required, to fill vacancies in the Air Corps for Aircraft Technicians.
Following the 2014 competition a total of 15 Apprentices were enlisted in the Air Corps in October 2014. While it is intended to hold a further Air Corps Apprenticeship Competition in 2015, the number of apprentices required has not yet been determined.
In relation to the Department’s civilian employee workforce, consideration is being given to the introduction of a limited apprenticeship programme in the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork to provide training in specialised ship maintenance skills to approximately 3 to 4 civilian personnel. Details of this apprenticeship programme will be published on the SOLAS website in due course.
With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, I intend to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.