Dáil debates

Thursday, 4 October 2007

Priority Questions

Defence Forces Personnel.

3:00 pm

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of doctors provided for in the new organisation of the Defence Forces introduced on foot of the White Paper on Defence; the number of doctors serving in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22102/07]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate Deputies Brian O'Shea and Jimmy Deenihan on their new positions. I wish them the very best for the future.

There is an acknowledged shortage of medical officers in the medical corps. Indeed, developing the capacity of the medical corps forms part of the programme for Government. Whereas the establishment for doctors provided for in the new organisation of the Defence Forces, introduced on foot of the White Paper on Defence, is 47, the current strength of medical officers serving in the Defence Forces is 23, one of whom is on leave of absence without pay. There has been recruitment of medical officers each year, but the number attracted to work in the Defence Forces has just served to address natural wastage.

The military medical services and their facilities exist primarily to maintain the health of the Defence Forces and to support them in operational and overseas activities. The focus of the military medical service is on primary care, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training.

The problems with recruitment of medical officers into the Defence Forces have endured for some time despite the concerted efforts of my Department and the Defence Forces themselves to address the root causes. The pay and allowances of doctors and dentists were increased substantially recently, in consultation with the Minister for Finance. This increase linked their pay to public health doctors and dentists. In addition, the Defence Forces have recently undertaken an intensive recruitment campaign. The results of both of these initiatives have been disappointing, unfortunately.

My Department has also been engaged in an ongoing process with the representative associations on the issue of the health requirements of members of the Defence Forces. A medical services charter was agreed under Sustaining Progress. This collaborative work has been carried forward into the modernisation agenda under Towards 2016, which foresees work on developing a revised structure for the delivery of medical services for the Defence Forces.

The services of civilian medical practitioners are regularly engaged to ensure that the immediate primary health care requirements arising in barracks are met. However, it is accepted that the shortage of dedicated doctors needs to be addressed in the longer term.

All the stakeholders are committed to meeting the medical needs of the Defence Forces efficiently and effectively. We are working in partnership with those stakeholders to develop strategies to attract additional medical officers.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for welcoming Deputy O'Shea and myself here today. Yesterday, Deputy Charles Flanagan gave a commitment to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and I will certainly be as constructive and positive as I can concerning defence issues over the lifetime of this Dáil.

I welcome the Minister's reply, but how many Irish nationals joined the Army medical corps in the past five years? How many non-nationals are serving as doctors in the Army at the moment? Whereas non-nationals are serving in medical services across the country, does the Minister agree that there are communication difficulties in the Army, especially when it comes to foreign missions? Difficulties can arise concerning physical, psychological and emotional health when native doctors are not present. Will the Minister refer to that point, as well as providing a breakdown between male and female doctors?

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have all the information the Deputy requires. I can tell him, however, that in 2003 one doctor was appointed, another was appointed in 2004, and four were appointed in 2005.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Were they Irish?

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have the breakdown between Irish nationals and non-nationals, but I will get it for the Deputy. We have very few female doctors. Of the 23 doctors, I think only three or four are female. However, I will obtain the precise figures for the Deputy.

As regards the Deputy's second point, no particular medical problems concerning troops serving overseas have been brought to my attention. As I said, we employ civilian doctors and sometimes there is a link between Ireland and whatever other groups make up a mission. For example, on the recent mission to Lebanon, medical services were delivered by a combination of Irish and Finnish personnel, because we linked up with the Finns. In view of the failure of the recent recruitment campaign, including an attempt to attract personnel by substantially increasing salaries, we need to re-examine the situation to see if we can find another way to proceed. However, major problems concerning overseas service have not been brought to my attention.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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We are relying on the goodwill of other countries to provide us with a medical service, as happened in Liberia. Is the Minister aware that three doctors have resigned from the Army medical corps over the past year, one of whom was the director of the medical corps? It is time for positive action to attract people into the Army medical corps. I acknowledge that the Minister accepts there is a problem. Apart from increasing salaries, is it possible to provide other incentives for people to join the Army medical corps?

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As regards relying on the goodwill of foreign armies, it works both ways. If one examines the delivery of medical services in Liberia, the Irish have medics there, too, who are delivering services to non-Irish personnel.

As regards the Deputy's other point, I suppose it is a question of providing further incentives. I have discussed this matter with the Chief of Staff and those directly responsible in the Defence Forces who have agreed to take a fresh look at the situation to see if we can recruit more doctors. I acknowledge that there is a problem because the medical corps is only at half its established strength.