Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of medical staff within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19786/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The number of medical staff within the Defence Forces is 31, comprising 22 medical officers-doctors, four dentists, one periodontist and four pharmacists. In addition, there are 24 members of the Army nursing service.

The key resource issue in the provision of medical services to the Defence Forces is the acknowledged shortage of doctors in the Medical Corps. While the establishment for medical officers is 47, only 22 are serving in the Defence Forces. The difficulties with the recruitment of medical officers have endured for some time despite the concerted efforts of my Department and the Defence Forces. The pay and allowances of doctors and dentists were recently increased substantially in consultation with the Minister for Finance. In addition, the Defence Forces have recently undertaken an intensive recruitment campaign. The results of both of these initiatives have been disappointing.

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. The scope of the review includes the level of service to be provided to members of the Defence Forces and the resources required for the delivery of that service.

In view of the complexity of the challenge to resolve the structural, resource and other issues facing the Medical Corps, I have decided to engage consultants to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The consultancy will deal with all relevant issues affecting the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces. As part of this work, the consultants will be asked to review the career prospects being offered to young doctors, opportunities for career development and membership of specialist registers. They will also examine the range of services required by the Defence Forces at home and overseas and options on sustainable future provision.

The development of the capacity 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 with the provision of medical services, I 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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While we have discussed this matter already, it is urgent that the Defence Forces have the proper medical backup. For example, the dentist who provides a service for military personnel in the Curragh is going to Chad. As such, no dentist will be available to the approximately 1,500 military personnel in the Curragh. I asked whether the Minister could provide an answer as to the cost of outsourcing services to private medical practitioners. The figure of €1.5 million mentioned some years ago has probably increased due to the reduction in the number of doctors available within the Defence Forces.

This matter is about more than the provision of services. It is important that medical personnel have a close knowledge of the Defence Forces so that the former know those with whom they are dealing, understand their complaints and are aware of the complexities. It is a psychological matter as much as a medical one. The importance of having as many Irish doctors as possible lies in psychology, in that they can communicate with military personnel better and have a better understanding of them. In saying this, I do not mean to cast aspersions on non-national personnel. Effective communication is a particularly important consideration when it comes to missions.

If we want to attract young doctors, male and female, into the Defence Forces, we must offer incentives. One such incentive would be the provision of crèche facilities, especially where there is a high concentration of medical personnel, such as in the Curragh. I understand the Minister has established a committee to examine this issue. Has that committee issued its recommendations? Can the Minister indicate whether a crèche facility will be provided in the Curragh?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Army personnel who require medical service will receive it. We do not have sufficient numbers of doctors in the Army, but we make up for this shortage by bringing them in from outside.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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My point stands that we are not recruiting enough doctors into the Army.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Nobody will be left without adequate medical treatment. That notion is a fallacy.

Nevertheless, it would be more desirable to have a full complement of 47 doctors. We have tried hard to build up to that number but, unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful. We have increased the pay substantially and have undertaken several intensive recruitment campaigns. The result, however, has been disappointing. The difficulty, as I am informed by medical people, is that the career prospects for an Army doctor are limited. That is why I am bringing in consultants, who I expect to appoint within the next three weeks, to find ways of attracting personnel into the Army so that we are no longer dependent on the private sector to supplement our medical corps.

I have taken note of Deputy Deenihan's question on funding and will communicate that information to him.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights and at a previous Question Time, I made a request that Lieutenant General Nash be asked to address the committee on the mission to Chad. I make that request again today. Given that he appeared on the "Late Late Show", I am sure he will be willing to attend a meeting of the committee to bring us up to date and answer any questions we may have. Will the Minister make that request on the committee's behalf?

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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If one takes it that an Army career is the chief ambition of cadets, is it not feasible that a number of them could be trained as doctors to work within the Defence Forces? This would be a good way of building up our own medical corps. The first objective for these people is to be part of Army life. Instead of recruiting external medical personnel who may leave when they get a better offer, it is better to train internal people who are committed to the Army as a way of life. Perhaps bursaries could be created to facilitate such a scheme.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As somebody who has been through the process of medical training, I may be able to offer the Minister some insight. It is correct that medical services are being provided to Defence Forces personnel as required. However, they are often provided by non-national doctors, some of whom have questionable qualifications. This was a cause for particular concern in Liberia, for example.

The main reason it is difficult to recruit young doctors into the Army is because they do not consider it a worthwhile experience. Even if massive annual salaries of €120,000 were offered, the problem would persist because young doctors do not consider a stint in the Army to be worth anything in terms of their career path. It does not require a consultant to point to the obvious solution, which is to ask the colleges to consider including a military rotation, whether for six months or a year, as part of a senior house officer or registrar's GP and surgical training schemes. Such an option would be attractive. People, including myself prior to entering politics, who are interested in doing an Army stint would be extremely interested in a four or five-year training scheme which incorporates a year as part of the Defence Forces. That is not currently an option. In terms of one's career progression, a year or two in the Army is effectively a waste of time. Will the Minister's consultants consider such an approach?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I will convey Deputy Deenihan's request to Lieutenant General Nash to attend a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.

In regard to the points made by Deputies Wall and Varadkar, I agree it is a question of career progression. I thank the Deputies for their suggestions, which I will pass on. Deputy Varadkar is correct that it is not a question of money. Doctors do not want to go into the Army because they do not see it as advancing their career. If Deputy Varadkar wishes to submit his suggestion in writing or meet me to discuss it, he will be more than welcome. I am open to all suggestions.