BUSINESS CASE TEMPLATE

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1 PART 1: GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Name of Allowance: Flying Pay BUSINESS CASE TEMPLATE 2. Description: Flying Pay is payable to pilot officers, non-pilot officers and enlisted personnel in the Air Corps, in respect of the performance of duties which are required to be carried out in the air, including flying instruction etc. Pilots have a graduated scale of flying pay, the rates of which increase with flying experience (it is only rank related for Lt Colonel and Colonel). In respect of Aeronautical Engineer Officers, Air Traffic Control Officers and certain enlisted personnel, Flying Pay is payable for duties which are required to be carried out in the air. Pilot Officers receive Flying Pay in addition to their normal line pay in recognition of the professional qualification in respect of flying and commanding service aircraft. Flying Pay issued to Pilot Officers is graduated according to the experience and command level they achieve at certain rank levels. Payable under Regulation DFR S. 3 Paragraphs 17 The annual rates of Flying Pay for Officers Class C modified PRSI are: Trainee pilots 1,202 on qualification 2,518 After 2 year s service 3,528 after 4 year s service 4,603 After 6 year s service 6,722 after 8 year s service 8,396 After 10 year s service 9,802 after 12 year s service 16,140 On promotion to Lt. Col. 13,455 on promotion to Col. 6,999 Non pilot officers engaged on duties which are carried out in the air: 1,202 The annual rates of Flying Pay for Officers Class A full PRSI are: Trainee pilots 1,271 on qualification 2,651 After 2 year s service 3,710 after 4 year s service 4,849 After 6 year s service 7,072 after 8 year s service 8,836

2 After 10 year s service 10,313 after 12 year s service 16,994 On promotion to Lt. Col. 14,163 on promotion to Col. 7,363 Non pilot officers engaged on duties which are carried out in the air: 1,271 Flying pay enlisted personnel Flying Pay is payable to Enlisted Personnel engaged on duties which require to be carried out in the air. Enlisted personnel have 2 rates, i.e. high and low. It is paid at a daily rate of 4.38 or Number on Spreadsheet: 17 PART 2 BUSINESS CASE PROPOSAL Please tick relevant box: Maintain Modify X 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 [email protected] 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? Government receives a comprehensive range of air related capabilities, including air operations in defence of the State, or as directed during periods of heightened alert, or during visits to the State by Heads of State etc. In the case of application of force NO other State or private agency can be authorised to act in such a manner. 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 fulfill the roles assigned by Government through the deployment of a professional, highly motivated and effective Air Corps.

3 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 Civil ATC Co-operation Assisting in Major Disaster relief Limited Search and Rescue Operations Fire Fighting All of these roles can be executed at nighttime as the Air Corps have the ONLY pilots in the State who are qualified to operate at nighttime using night vision equipment. The Air Corps is committed to service provision of air services to a variety of State and semi-state bodies through negotiated Service Level Agreements (SLA s):-

4 1. Department of Health and Children interhospital air ambulance services; organ retrieval services; neo-natal air ambulance services all with an international reach (eg. recent air amb to Boston, USA, and many to the UK and European destinations). 2. Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) rapid air transport services for investigators to scenes and transport of evidence to UK; provision of aerial photography platforms to on-scene investigation teams. 3. Air Accident Investigation Unit, Department of Transport: rapid air transport services for investigators, aerial photography facilities to investigation teams and wreckage recovery from remote/difficult sites. 4. Department of the Marine: low altitude fishery patrols and photography; high level radar patrols. 5. Irish Coast Guard (IRCG): use of fixed-wing aircraft for the provision of topcover over IRCG helicopters operating at extreme range from land; dropping of lifesaving dinghies; illumination of night time rescue and search areas using flares; search assistance using helicopters and search and rescue by helicopters, as requested. The Air Corps provides an Air Ambulance Service which is an emergency inter-hospital transfer service for the rapid transfer of patients between hospitals or to hospitals from offshore islands where the Coast Guard is not available. The service also transports emergency organ retrieval teams. The provision of this service is governed by the terms of a Service Level Agreement with the Department of Health. The Air Corps operates two CASA CN35 Maritime Patrol aircraft in support of the State s maritime surveillance effort within the Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ). Available on a 24/7 basis, these long range patrol aircraft support the Naval Service, Customs, Sea Fisheries Protection Agency and the Coast Guard in ensuring national sovereignty and maritime security together with providing a limited national organic airlift capability. All information obtained during maritime patrol flights is provided to the Customs Drugs and Law Enforcement agencies in order to enhance the ability of the State to counter the threat of smuggling and drug importation. In addition, other fixed wing aircraft and occasionally helicopters are used to monitor inshore fishing activities. The Ministerial Air Transport Service is provided by the Air Corps to assist An tuachtaran and members of the Government in fulfilling their official engagements at home and abroad. The service is primarily provided by Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft.

5 Air Corps pilots are routinely engaged in aid to the civil authority missions such as pollution control, snow relief, wildlife surveys, major emergency exercises, mountain rescue and major fire exercises and delivery of ballot boxes to remote islands and communities to ensure the continuance of the democratic election system as provided by Bunreacht na heireann. etc. The Air Corps also provide aid to the Civil Power (An Garda Siochana) in support of their role, in particular cash in transit missions. The Air Corps support An Garda Siochana in the operation of two helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft, which form the GASU. This support is covered by the terms of a SLA with the Department of Justice and Equality. There is also a SLA between the Department and the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission. This agreement provides for the provision by the Air Corps of an air transport service for the rapid and essential transport of GSOC investigators to the scene of a serious accident. (2) Is the allowance cost effective/represent value for money? Yes. The payment enables the Air Corps to provide 24/7 aircrews in support of the Air Corps operational roles and Government policy. 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 fulfill the roles assigned by Government through the deployment of a professional, highly motivated and effective Air Corps. Flying Pay represents value for money and is cost effective, because, it recognises the unique and high quality set of skills and attributes which operations in a military aviation context demands. 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 Air Corps. 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) Flying Pay is a qualification based Pay and reflects the fact that Defence Forces personnel have undertaken significantly expensive, professional and demanding aeronautical training. These skills are highly marketable and the civil sector has always

6 attracted a flow of military pilots due to the standards and skills which they obtain through their employment. There has historically been a difficulty in retaining Air Corps personnel, in particular, those carrying out duties as pilots due to the higher levels of remuneration available in the private sector. The non-performance of Air Corps pilot duties would mean that the Government would not have an Air Corps service and the varied role of the Air Corps as outlined above would have to be outsourced at significant cost. 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))

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