Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Nobody will be left without adequate medical treatment. That notion is a fallacy.

Nevertheless, it would be more desirable to have a full complement of 47 doctors. We have tried hard to build up to that number but, unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful. We have increased the pay substantially and have undertaken several intensive recruitment campaigns. The result, however, has been disappointing. The difficulty, as I am informed by medical people, is that the career prospects for an Army doctor are limited. That is why I am bringing in consultants, who I expect to appoint within the next three weeks, to find ways of attracting personnel into the Army so that we are no longer dependent on the private sector to supplement our medical corps.

I have taken note of Deputy Deenihan's question on funding and will communicate that information to him.

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