Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Feb 1999

Vol. 501 No. 2

Written Answers. - Air Corps Personnel.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

89 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the unprecedented delay in advertising and filling the sergeant major position in air traffic control, Baldonnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4911/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

205 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the unprecedented delay in advertising and filling the sergeant major position in air traffic control, Baldonnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4947/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 205 together.

There are currently three sergeant major positions vacant in the Air Corps. One vacancy is in air traffic control and two vacancies are aircraft technical positions. The vacancy in the air traffic control area has arisen due to the recent promotion of the previous holder of the post to commissioned rank as an air traffic control officer. Four NCOs are currently undergoing a Senior NCOs Course. Successful completion of this course will facilitate their participation in inter views for vacancies which have arisen at sergeant major rank.

To enable a wider pool of candidates to be eligible to compete for these vacancies, the GOC Air Corps has decided that the vacancies will not be filled until the senior NCOs course is complete. The course is due to be completed on 12 March, 1999.