Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 1

Written Answers. - Air Corps Pilots.

Mary Harney

Ceist:

18 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Defence the total number of pilot officers currently serving in the Air Corps; their ranks; the number of these, by rank, who are currently engaged directly in flying duties; the comparative number for 31 December 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14439/96]

Michael McDowell

Ceist:

29 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence the number of pilot officers who have applied in 1996 to retire from the Defence Forces; the number of such applications which have been granted; the number of applications which have been refused; the reason(s) for such refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14440/96]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Barrett)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 29 together.

The statistical data requested by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which I will circulate in the Official Report.

During 1996 six Air Corps officers have applied to retire from the Permanent Defence Force. One officer, who was granted permission to retire with effect from 1 July 1996, has now applied to have his retirement deferred to 30 September 1996. The other five applications are currently being considered and it is my intention to release the officers concerned as soon as possible subject to the operational commitments of the Air Corps. These applications have just recently been received and I will make a decision in their regard very shortly.

	Total Number of Pilot Officers in Air Corps by Rank 1996	Total Number of Pilot Officers Engaged in Flying Duties by Rank 1996	Total Number of Pilot Officers Not Engaged in Flying Duties by Rank 1996*	Total Number of Pilot Officers in Air Corps by Rank 1993
Brigadier	1		1	1
Colonel	1		1	1
Lieutenant-Colonel	7	1	6	6
Commandant	19	14	5	20
Captain	41	40	1	40
Lieutenant	19	19		19
2nd Lieutenant	11	11		11
Total	99	85	14	98

* Flying officers not wholly engaged in flying duties are in appointments whose functions require expertise and experience and are essential to the management of the military aviation function.