James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There will be significant disappointment within the Defence Forces that no psychiatrist has yet been appointed. I may have missed it but will the Minister of State clarify whether there have been any applications for the post of psychiatrist in the Defence Forces? I understand the previous position was at lieutenant colonel level, which has a pay grade of approximately €60,000 to €70,000 or approximately half what a consultant psychiatrist would expect to be paid in the HSE. I ask the Minister of State to address whether that forms part of the difficulty in attracting a psychiatrist to the Defence Forces.

Defence Forces members are under significant mental strain in the normal course of their duties. They operate in strenuous circumstances, often in dangerous environments. Post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, is common among soldiers. It is treatable but requires early intervention. The availability of a psychiatrist to soldiers at the earliest point is of critical importance. The Workplace Climate in the Defence Forces research identified the type of stress and strain under which soldiers operate. The current low staffing levels place additional strain on members of the Defence Forces.

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