Andrew Boylan
Ceist:13 Mr. Boylan 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 Personnel.
Bernard Allen
Ceist:56 Mr. Allen 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]
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:60 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has regarding staff levels in the Air Corps; his views on whether the service is currently understaffed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18096/98]
Michael Noonan
Ceist:70 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Defence the number of trained fixed wing aircraft and helicopters necessary to provide the various services expected of the Air Corps; and if there are enough numbers to deal with the demand. [17900/98]
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:78 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the current position regarding non-commissioned officers in the Air Corps; if these officers fly all planes currently in the Air Corps fleet, including the Gulf Stream jet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18095/98]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:170 Ms Fitzgerald 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. [18119/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 56, 60, 70, 78 and 170 together.
The recently published Price Waterhouse review of the Air Corps recommended an overall strength of 930. The strength of the Air Corps on 30 June, 1998 the latest date for which figures are available, was 1,026.
In relation to the number of pilots, there are at present a total of 88 flying officers in the Air Corps. Thirteen Air Corps cadets were recently recruited. There are also a total of ten 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 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.