Written Answers Nos. 291-297
291. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Longford in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34079/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not own or operate any military installations in County Longford and, as a result, has not undertaken any projects in the county within the period referenced.
292. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the expected date on which the Strategic Workforce Plan for the Defence Forces will be submitted for her consideration; whether it is intended to publish the plan in full or in part; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34126/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the forthcoming Strategic Workforce Plan will include defined workforce targets, timelines, and key performance indicators for each service branch, including the Air Corps; and if she will outline the nature of those targets and oversight mechanisms [34127/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together.
A draft Strategic Workforce Plan prepared by the Defence Forces has recently been submitted to me for consideration. The draft plan and its accompanying recommendations, will be considered and finalised over the coming weeks. As the Deputy will be aware, the aim of the plan is to provide a pathway to the achievement of a strength of 11,500, inclusive of civilian personnel, commensurate with Level of Ambition 2.
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.
