Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

In reply to the various points made by Deputy O'Shea, it is true that more people have left since 2000 than we have managed to recruit. However, it is not true to say that the medical service is in a state of collapse because, as Deputy O'Shea and the House will be aware, where we cannot provide medical service within the Army, we engage outside medical services.

We have done our best to maintain the strength of the medical corps at its establishment level, which is 47 doctors, but unfortunately we have failed. We raised the pay and allowances considerably and undertook a number of intensive recruitment campaigns, but we failed. Therefore, we are bringing in consultants to advise us on how best to approach this problem. Deputy O'Shea wants to know whether I will give a categorical assurance that the consultants' report will be available before the end of the year. I cannot give that assurance, but I am informed that it is expected. It will be a surprise if we do not have it before the end of the year. The consultants were to consider four items and are on the third already. I am fairly optimistic we will have the report by the end of the year.

Deputy O'Shea's suggestion about student doctors is a good one and the consultants have been made aware of it. We will see what they have to say about it in their report.

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