Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy Deenihan. As he will be aware, because the incentives did not succeed in increasing the complement of doctors and dentists to the level needed by the Army, rather than avail of the services of the private sector we will completely organise the Army medical corps. We have brought in consultants to advise us in this regard.

Regarding Deputy Wall's question, to the best of my recollection there is not a specific subhead for civilianisation, to which there is a cost attached. For example, an Army colonel may do work that could be done as well, if not better, by a civilian. If a civilian is employed to do this work and the colonel remains in situ, there is a question of extra staff, which is not a popular concept in the Department of Finance.

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