Catherine Murphy
Question:9. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the number of pilot and air traffic controller posts that are vacant in the Air Corps; and the steps being taken to fill these posts. [13140/20]
View answerTuesday, 30 June 2020
Questions (9)
Written answers
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 29 June to which it was not possible to provide a reply within the available timeframe.
The military authorities have advised that there are 24 pilot vacancies and 9 Air Traffic Controller (ATC) vacancies in the Air Corp.
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining, the agreed strength of each branch of the Defence Forces. In that context, training of pilots and ATC's continues with the aim of returning to full establishment. Currently, 15 pilots are undergoing training with an expected graduation date at the end of 2021. A further 10 Air Corps Cadets are in training and are expected to commence their Wings course in early 2021 and 6 personnel are currently undertaking ATC training with a further 3 students planned to commence ATC training in October 2020.
In addition, a campaign to re-enlist former members of the Permanent Defence Force, to fill certain vacancies, is ongoing and has resulted in five flying officers being re-commissioned into the Air Corps since October 2019. Six further applications are at an advanced stage of consideration.
While the capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train personnel was severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation, such activities have now resumed taking public health guidelines into account. This includes the processing of applications received for the 2020 Cadetship competition and it is expected that a further 8 Air Corps Cadets will be inducted shortly.
In addition, the report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) of 2019 contains a range of recommendations aimed at improving recruitment and conditions of service for members of the Defence Forces. A High Level Plan to give effect to the recommendations of the PSPC is being implemented.
It should be noted that as the High Level Implementation Plan contains short, medium and long term measures, the full impact of these measures will take time to determine. There are also a range of external variables which impact on recruitment and retention and which can change and these will be carefully monitored to assess their effect as they arise.
The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments aimed at stabilising and restoring the strength of the Defence Forces. An independent Commission will be established to undertake a comprehensive review of the defence requirements of the State. It is also intended that on completion of this review, a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces will be established.