BUSINESS CASE TEMPLATE

Transcription

1 PART 1: GENERAL INFORMATION BUSINESS CASE TEMPLATE 1. Name of Allowance: Air Traffic Controller 2. Description: This qualification based allowance is paid to officers engaged on the following air traffic control duties to reflect the higher level of expertise required: Tower Tower and Approach Tower, Approach and Radar Watch Supervisor. Department of Finance Sanction Ref E144/1/80 dated 28 May Payable under Regulation DFR S. 3 Paragraphs 17 and 17a Current rates for air traffic control personnel are as follows: Officers Class A ATC Assistant Officer 1,539 ATC Aerodrome Controller 2,307 ATC Aerodrome and Approach Radar Controller 7,689 ATC Aerodrome and Approach Radar Controller With 2 years experience and Watch Supervisor 14,487 Officers Class C ATC Assistant Officer 1,461 ATC Aerodrome Controller 2,189 ATC Aerodrome and Approach Radar Controller 7,306 ATC Aerodrome and Approach Radar Controller With 2 years experience and Watch Supervisor 13,763 Enlisted personnel Non Commissioned Officers are paid at Technical rates of Pay. 3. Number on Spreadsheet: 2 PART 2 BUSINESS CASE PROPOSAL Please tick relevant box: Maintain Modify X

2 In both instances, please provide a through and considered business case for maintaining the allowance either as is or in modified format. The modifications should also be detailed, and include information on any revisions of the headings outlined in the Allowances Template. The Department should confirm that the allowances represent value for money and provide additional or higher value work which can not be considered as part of the normal responsibilities, flexibilities or duties expected of a person in such a post. This information should be returned to Sighle.de.barra@per.gov.ie by 31 January, SECTION (a) BUSINESS CASE FOR RETAINING ALLOWANCE (Please complete headings below) (1) What does the employer receive in return for the allowance? Air Traffic Control Services are provided to ensure safe and expeditious regulation and control of aircraft operating in Irish airspace. Highly trained air traffic control personnel carry out the duties of tower; tower and approach; tower, approach and radar and watch supervisor. Air traffic control personnel are trained to international standards and have a significant high level of expertise. Military Aero duties could not operate in the absence of qualified ATC personnel. The cost of civilian personnel engaged in such duties significantly exceeds that paid to Air Corps ATC staff. The basic function of Military Air traffic Control Section is to provide an Air Traffic Service (ATS) within military airspace which enables military pilots to conduct their flights in a safe and expeditious environment, while at the same time providing them with tactical freedom in all weather conditions. This comprehensive service is achieved by Air Traffic Controllers transmitting instructions to pilots in the form of 'air traffic control clearances' and by providing vital flight information and navigational assistance. In addition, air traffic controllers are responsible for providing an 'Alerting and Emergency Service' and initiating 'Search and Rescue' (SAR) action for aircraft which may require assistance. Civilian aircraft operating within, or transiting through military airspace are also provided with an Air Traffic Service appropriate to their particular needs.

3 The ATS service is provided by a number of controllers who man a variety of co-located and interdependent control positions, collectively called the 'ATC Watch'. A standard ATC Watch normally comprises of the following control positions. ATC Watch Supervisor The ATC watch supervisor is responsible for management and coordination of the ATC watch on a daily basis. The ATC Watch supervisor is an Air Traffic Control officer who is experienced in all the control positions. The ATC Watch supervisor also coordinates military requirements with civil ATC units on a national basis. Aerodrome Controller The Aerodrome Controller is responsible for controlling aircraft which are operating on the airfield and its immediate environs. This includes aircraft which are taxiing, landing, taking-off, operating locally, or transiting through the immediate vicinity of the airfield. Approach Radar Controller Unlike their colleagues in the Tower, Approach Radar Controllers are the unseen part of the team. They operate from Radar Centers which are either located below the level of the actual Tower or in the Dublin Airport Radar Center. Based on radar observations the Radar Controller is responsible for providing an ATS to aircraft operating in the wider military airspace, which incidentally extends from Baldonnel to the midlands and extends upwards to an unspecified limit. Irish Air Corps ATS Training is conducted in accordance with ESARR International Standards. The Syllabus complies with the European Common Core Content, a syllabus created to harmonize and standardize Air Traffic Controller training throughout Europe. Aerodrome Controller The Aerodrome Controller is responsible for controlling aircraft which are operating on the airfield and its immediate environs. This includes aircraft which are taxiing, landing, taking-off, operating locally, or transiting through the immediate vicinity of the airfield.

4 Roles of the Air Corps The role of the Air Corps under the Defence Act is to contribute to the security of the State by providing for the Military Air Defence of its airspace. However in times of peace it is more usual for the Air Corps to fulfil the roles assigned by Government through the deployment of a well motivated and effective Air Corps. Primary Roles of the Air Corps The primary role of the Air Corps is to support the Army, this includes the following: Observation and Reconnaissance Local Fire Support Command and Control Limited Tactical Mobility and Logistic Support Casualty Evacuation In Support of the Naval Service Maritime Surveillance and Defence National Security Economic Zone Surveillance Protection of Natural Resources In Aid to the Civil Power Maintaining and flying Garda Support Unit Aircraft Observation Reconnaissance and Search Operations Photographic Reconnaissance Industrial Explosives Escorts Prisoner Escorts Cash Escorts Protection of Airspace Operations Secondary Roles of the Air Corps The secondary role of the Air Corps includes the following: Aid to the Civil Community Aid to Government Departments Aid to the Civil Community Recovery and Top cover for search & rescue Air Ambulance Island Relief Snow Relief Aid to Government Departments Ministerial Air Transport Service Pollution Surveys Forest and Wildlife Surveys Aerial Photography

5 Civil ATC Co-operation Assisting in Major Disaster relief (2) Is the allowance cost effective/represent value for money? Yes. It enables the Air Corps to provide a vital round the clock Air Traffic Control Service in support of the role of the Air Corps. The role of the Air Corps under the Defence Act is to contribute to the security of the State by providing for the Military Air Defence of its airspace. However, in times of peace it is more usual for the Air Corps to fulfil the roles assigned by Government through the deployment of a well motivated and effective Air Corps. It represents value for money and is cost effective, because, unlike other areas of the Public Service and due to the nature of the duties performed, overtime, shift allowance or other such premium payments are not available to members of the Defence Forces. If this function were to be outsourced to the private sector it would cost significantly more to implement. (3) Other Pertinent Issues (e.g. why duties cannot form part of grade/post; impacts/risks if duties/responsibilities not undertaken) The allowance is a qualification based allowance and reflects the fact that Defence Forces personnel have undertaken significant and difficult aeronautical training. There has historically been a difficulty in recruiting and retaining Air Corps personnel, in particular, those carrying out duties in the Air Traffic Control Service due to the higher levels of remuneration available in the private sector. If the duties in respect of Air Traffic Control were not undertaken the Air Corps would not be in a position to provide an Air Traffic Service to support the Air Corps Service. The Government would not be in a position to provide an emergency response service and nationwide assistance to civil authorities. In the event of Civilian Air Traffic Control disputes such as occurred in the USA in the 1980s under the Reagan Administration the Government would not be in a position to safely transmit aircraft in and out of air space or controlled airfields.

6 The non-performance of Air Traffic Control duties could lead to lives being put at risk and the safety of the public being compromised. SECTION (b) BUSINESS CASE FOR RETAINING ALLOWANCE ON MODIFIED BASIS (1) What does the employer receive in return for the allowance? (2) Is the allowance cost effective/represent value for money? (3) What type of modification is proposed e.g. change in rate; change in method of payment; change basis on which allowance is paid; reduce number of persons in receipt of allowance; other? (4) What would be the estimated total savings derived from the modification? (5) Other Pertinent Issues (e.g. why duties cannot form part of grade/post; impacts/risks if duties/responsibilities not undertaken))