100 new security staff have been recruited at Dublin Airport while 250 candidates have been invited for an interview this week ahead of the busy Easter break.
It follows chaotic scenes in recent weeks as passengers try to make their way through the airport. Hundreds of people have missed flights after queues at security were taking several hours.
In an update to the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, the DAA outlined a five-point plan to tackle the operational issues;
- The recruitment of 100 new security staff already and efforts to recruit additional staff – 250 candidates have been invited for interview this week.
- Temporarily re-assigning a number of Cork Airport security staff to Dublin Airport
- Identifying former security screeners still employed by daa, but now in different roles in the company
- Continuing the deployment of 600 office based staff to security duties during the weekends and at known peak periods, as was in place last weekend
- Contracted third party security trainers to expand and expediate the training capacity for new security checking recruits
- A targeted communications campaign to notify intending passengers to allow sufficient time in advance of travel to complete their security screening
- Improved operational arrangements in relation to the operation of security screening throughout each day.
A plan to deal with staff shortages also includes temporarily re-assigning a number of Cork Airport security staff to Dublin.
Meanwhile, the government says it isn't in favour of sending in the army to help out after calls from Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary.
He told 98FM news last week that 200 members of the defence forces should be brought in while new security staff are being trained up.
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