Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

The first question I asked the Minister's predecessor back in October 2007 was about establishing a review of the medical corps in the Defences Forces, to which the then Minister responded. The consultancy group was taken on in 2008 and reported last year. It is very important that the report is implemented and I have concerns about the speed of implementation. The PWC report of the late 1990s suggested there was an establishment requirement of 46 medical doctors for the Defence Forces. I understand that at present the number is 23, some of whom are non-nationals. Will the Minister confirm the number?

Due to the nature of their work, the health and fitness of our Defence Forces is paramount. More than any other occupation, they are exposed to physical challenges and stresses that people in other occupations would not fully comprehend. This is why a proper well resourced medical corps is paramount. We are failing badly in many respects with regard to providing that support to the Defence Forces. The report stated quite clearly that current demand for medical assessments is not met. It also stated that the medical corps delivered 7,222 medical assessments in 2007 against a requirement estimated at more than 18,716. This is grossly inadequate.

A key recommendation of the report was for the immediate creation of one centralised medical command structure. It is now six months later and one would think it should have been possible for that to have been put in place immediately. Will the Minister respond on the inadequacy of what is available at present? Will he give us more direction and a timeframe for the implementation of the recommendations made by the PA consultant group? Will he be more specific with regard to the centralised medical command structure because it strikes me that it will be the structure which will drive reform?

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