Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

We have been contracting doctors; that has been the alternative. The ideal in the PA Consulting report shows that there would be 32 permanent members of the Medical Corps. The difficulty in reality is that posts have been advertised, funding is available to fill those posts but too few applications from appropriately qualified doctors have been received.

This is an issue that has been a matter of some concern to me and to the Defence Forces, but there is no gap in the provision of medical services because in the context of the shortfall of numbers who are part of the Permanent Defence Forces, doctors have been contracted and, indeed, local medical practitioners are also available for use.

There is no question of appropriate medical assessments not being undertaken or of appropriate medical treatment not being provided where that is required, but I would prefer to be in a position where the PA Consulting report in this context had been fully implemented. I believe my predecessor had some difficulty in that regard and it remains a difficulty.

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