Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 3: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in appointing consultants to carry out a review of the Defence Forces medical services; the proposed terms of reference for the consultants; the date by which it is anticipated the consultants will submit their report to him; if he will publish the consultants' report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20062/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Military medical services and their facilities exist 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, occupational medicine, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training.

The challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time and a review of the provision of medical services, in association with the representative associations, is ongoing as part of the modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces. In view of the complexity of the challenge facing the Defence Forces in this area, I decided to engage consultants to make recommendations on the best means of meeting their medical requirements. The consultancy will focus on the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces.

The consultancy is expected to deliver the following items: a review of the medical input required for the Defence Forces in the light of their roles and operations, an assessment of the current arrangements for the provision of medical services, a recommendation regarding sustainable future provision of the required medical input,and a work plan, outlining the main projects necessary, with timescales and a costing matrix for the implementation of recommendations.

It is expected a contract will be awarded shortly and I expect the report to be delivered before the end of the year. I eagerly await receipt of the report and I assure the House that following consideration of the recommendations I will publish the report and engage with all of the key stakeholders on the way ahead.

The development of the medical corps forms part of An Agreed Programme for Government. I am committed to providing a sustainable medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces both at home and abroad. Notwithstanding the current situation I can assure the House that Defence Forces personnel requiring medical treatment are getting the care they need.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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This is a matter of genuine concern for the Defence Forces in view of the fact that the PWC report and also the White Paper recommend an establishment of 47 doctors. I understand we have 23 currently, ten of whom are non-nationals. It is a major issue and something that cannot just be passed over lightly.

Can the Minister indicate when will the consultants be appointed and commence their work? Can he give a precise date on when he expects them to report? He mentioned they would engage with all interest groups. Will they engage with RACO, PDFORRA, military personnel, the Department of Defence and the special ongoing committee that is examining medical services within the Defence Forces?

In his reply, the Minister might indicate how much his Department is spending on engaging civilian medical practitioners for medical care in the Defence Forces and for outsourcing various services that could be provided if he had a full establishment.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I must correct Deputy Deenihan slightly — 47 is the established figure, as he rightly says, and we have 22 currently. Six are non-nationals, but of course they are properly qualified medical practitioners. Basically, in recent times we have considerably improved pay and conditions, in agreement with the Department of Finance, for people working in the medical corps of the Army. In addition, we have run a number of intensive recruitment campaigns, although unfortunately the results have been disappointing. Since 2000 some 15 doctors have left the Army, and we have only managed to recruit ten, so obviously our numbers are down.

As regards when the consultants will be appointed, the tender documents are being evaluated and I expect they will be in place within the next three weeks and told to get to work immediately. I understand, from speaking to various people that we expect to be in possession of the consultants' report before the end of the year. Deputy Deenihan asked whether they would engage with RACO, PDFORRA etc. I do not know whether the consultants will directly engage with those organisations, but certainly I shall publish the report and I shall engage with PDFORRA, RACO etc. as regards what the consultants say. If the consultants want to talk directly to RACO, PDFORRA etc., I have no objection whatsoever.

As regards Deputy Deenihan's financial question about the amount of expenditure on doctors we employ because we have not got the medical personnel ourselves, the point must be made that if we did we should have to pay them anyway. I do not have the figure to hand, but I will get it for the Deputy.