Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
108. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether a workforce gap analysis has been undertaken in respect of aircraft maintenance and technical personnel within the Air Corps; if so, to provide the findings and any identified shortfalls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32883/26]
View answerIncreasing recruitment and retention of personnel in the Defence Forces is a key priority for me as Minister for Defence. As a Government, we are committed to putting the resources in place to achieve Level of Ambition 2 and a crucial element of this is personnel expansion.
I am advised that as of the 31 March 2026, the latest date such figures are available for, the strength of the Air Corps stood at 778 personnel or 88% of the establishment figure of 886.
The Defence Forces have developed a draft Strategic Workforce Plan to provide a roadmap for the achievement of an overall strength of 11,500. This plan will identify any workforce gaps and will be submitted to me shortly for consideration.
The recommendations arising from the plan, including any recommendations pertaining to the Air Corps in respect of aircraft maintenance and technical personnel, will be evaluated in due course.
The pathways for entry to the Permanent Defence Force are those advertised on military.ie, which include an unprecedented number of recruitment competitions including a General Service Recruitment campaign for the Air Corps which commenced in November 2022, competitions for Aircraft Maintenance Technician and Communication Operators. The 2026 Air Corps cadetship campaigns including the Air Traffic Controller cadetship recently closed and attracted 830 applications. The 2026 Aircraft Maintenance Technician competition launched last week while a further competition for Aerospace Engineers is currently being progressed.
To strengthen workforce stability in key specialist roles, several measures are being implemented, which include:
• Significant progress on pay;
• The extension of the existing Service Commitment Scheme for Air Corps pilots, to Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel;
• An increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62;
• The extension of private healthcare to all ranks in the Defence Forces;
• Provision of fitness, training and sports facilities across its installations;
• Progress on the 2023-2027 Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) with the highest level of financial resources in the State’s history;
• The provision of excellent training and education opportunities;
• The implementation of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces, subject to certain exemptions.
In addition, Local Bargaining measures are being introduced to support initiatives for retention in key capability areas.
I assure the Deputy that prioritising the recruitment and retention of talented individuals across the entire Defence Forces is a priority and in an ever buoyant employment market, I want to see the Defence Forces as an employer of choice.
