Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.

I am informed that, contrary to what has been suggested, there is no exodus of doctors from the Defence Forces. Medical officers are recruited into the Defence Forces via two streams, direct entry and the military medicine training scheme, which is a five-year training programme leading to dual specialisation in both military medicine and general practice. The establishment figure for medical officers is 28, which includes the position of psychiatrist and for which a civilian consultant psychiatrist is employed. I am informed the current strength of Defence Forces medical officers is 22, of whom three are undertaking the military medicine training scheme. Medical officers participating in this scheme rotate every six months between Defence Forces and civilian general practice placement and, as such, they are considered as 0.5 whole-time equivalents, giving an effective Defence Forces medical officer strength of 20.5, plus one civilian psychiatrist. There are currently 6.5 vacancies.

I am informed, however, that recruitment for medical officers remains ongoing and that four applicants have been successful via a recent direct-entry competition. One of these was recently commissioned and a further three are in the process of being security-cleared. In addition, the first two doctors are due to graduate from the military medicine training scheme during 2023 and will become full-time medical officers in the Defence Forces.

The Defence Forces acknowledge the key enabling role medical officers play in respect of operations to ensure a layered level of medical cover for all operations undertaken.

Specifically with regard to overseas, medical services provided to Defence Forces personnel are dependent upon the size of the troop deployment and the overall medical services provided as part of the mission. On larger missions, for example, the Defence Forces Medical Corps provides routine primary healthcare, specialised first aid, interim emergency surgery treatment, resuscitation, stabilisation of casualties and short-term holding of casualties until they can be returned to duty or evacuated. On smaller missions, these services may be provided by medical corps personnel from other forces participating in the mission. The recruitment and retention of trained medical personnel, as with other specialist areas within the Defence Forces, continues to be a major priority.

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