Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
294. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the approved establishment strength and current overall personnel strength of the Air Corps for each year from 2023 to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34128/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of authorised pilot posts within the Air Corps and the number currently filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34129/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel currently in the Air Corps pilot training pipeline; the annual intake capacity; and the projected annual output over the next three years. [34130/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra297. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any formal risk assessment has been conducted by her Department or the Defence Forces regarding current staffing levels in the Air Corps; and if so, to outline the findings at a policy level. [34131/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 294, 295, 296 and 297 together.
The Defence Forces have provided me with the requested strength figures for the Air Corps which are outlined in the following table:
|
Year |
Strength |
Establishment |
|
2023 |
689 |
886 |
|
2024 |
739 |
886 |
|
2025 |
765 |
886 |
|
2026* |
778* |
886 |
* As at 31 March
Boosting recruitment in the Defence Forces is a key priority for me and I am advised that the strength of the Air Corps stood at 778 or 88% of establishment as at 31st March, the latest date for which this figure is available. Last year saw 790 inductions overall to the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), including 78 to the Air Corps.
These figures indicate that the key enabling measures introduced by Government over the past five years are yielding positive results. These measures include an increases in the maximum ages of recruitment and retirement to 39 and 62 respectively, the extension of the provision of private secondary healthcare to all members of the PDF, the application of the Working-time Directive across the Defence Forces, subject to certain exemptions, and the extension of the Service Commitment Scheme for pilots to Air Traffic personnel. There has also been significant progress on pay with a further pay award due in a matter of weeks for all PDF personnel.
