Seán Haughey
Ceist:118. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to reopen the Air Corps pilot service commitment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44693/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 November 2018
Ceisteanna (118)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under my direction, the Department of Defence brought the issue of the retention of certain specialists, including Air Corps pilots, to the attention of the Public Service Pay Commission in 2017. This matter is referenced in paragraph 6.29 of the Commission's report of May 2017.
I have previously stated that there are difficulties in recruiting and retaining specialists in the PDF. This includes pilots and certain other technical specialists. The Government has tasked the Public Service Pay Commission with examining recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Sector in more detail and issues relating to Air Corps pilots will be examined within this forum. In this context, the Public Service Pay Commission requested detailed information from the Department of Defence which was duly forwarded to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Public Service Pay Commission will report in due course. The findings and proposals arising will be considered at that time.