Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Defence the numbers of personnel who have been medically discharged from the Defence Forces each year for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25202/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have reported that the numbers of personnel discharged from the Permanent Defence Force on medical grounds in each year since and including 2008 are as follows: in 2008 some 19 enlisted personnel were discharged; in 2009, two officers and 42 enlisted personnel were discharged; in 2010, one officer and 33 enlisted personnel were discharged; and to date in 2011, one officer and 24 personnel were discharged. The figures I have provided for enlisted personnel also include any recruits or cadets that may have been medically discharged during each of the years.

The maintenance of a cadre of personnel capable of meeting the physical demands of a career in the Defence Forces is a key human resources requirement. The medical classification of all personnel is kept under review and where it is confirmed as being unfit for service with the Defence Forces, action is initiated towards retirement, relinquishment of commission or discharge, as the case may be.

In the context of the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces, military medical services and facilities exist to maintain the health of Defence Forces members and to support them in their operational and overseas activities. In this regard the focus of the military medical services is on primary care, occupational medicine, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training.

Serving members of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF, are provided with free medical treatment within military medical facilities by Defence Forces medical officers. While medical facilities are available within the Defence Forces, the Defence Forces are dependent on public health care facilities for the provision of higher-level hospital inpatient services for its members. Costs incurred in accessing such external medical services are met from the Department of Defence Vote. The services of civilian general practitioners are engaged to provide primary care when medical officers are not available.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I tabled this question because several people have come to me with concerns about how people are medically discharged. I refer to one example. Recently, I met a man who has 11 years of service in the Naval Service. He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in June 2009. In that year he had 140 days of sick leave which resulted in his medical grade being reclassified. The report stated that he had a chronic medical condition requiring regular medical supervision and that he was unfit for seagoing duties. In September 2010 his medical grade was again reclassified to state that he was below standard for a contract extension. Nevertheless, since 1 January 2010 up to last week he has only been sick for two days in the past 19 months. He is not on any medicine and he has not seen a doctor or anything for the past 19 months but he cannot get an extension to his contract. In February 2011 the appeal board turned down his request for an extension. It confirmed his medical grade as being unfit for seagoing duties. He is still active in the Naval Service. His contract is up at the end of October and he is now facing a situation whereby he must leave the Naval Service although be believes his medically fit.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Could you frame a question please Deputy?

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I realise there is no independent medical board to which he can appeal because the appeal board is convened by the Naval Service. How many other similar cases are there? This man has experience in the Naval Service. He is keen to continue serving and has made a life choice to dedicate his life to the Defence Forces. Unfortunately, he fell sick in 2009 but since 2010 he has had only had two sick days and he is not under any medical care at the moment but he cannot get an extension.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on individual cases. I am not familiar with the case to which the Deputy is referring. When a decision is made with regard to someone's capacity or fitness to continue within the Defence Forces there is a provision that an appeal may be made to the medical director with regard to decisions made. I do not know the reason why in the case of the individual named the contract has not been extended. Ultimately, whether to grant a contract extension is a decision to be made within the Defence Forces and there may be operational or other reasons for this of which we are not aware. If the Deputy provides me with the name of the individual and any other relevant information I can have the matter examined. Beyond that I cannot help the Deputy on the issue.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister and I will pass on the information. As regards operational issues, in his latest report of June 2010 the potential for promotion for the person concerned was deemed above average as was his overall performance and there is no operational reason he cannot remain.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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If the Deputy passes on the details to me I will have an inquiry made into the matter. Having said that I cannot make any promises and I do not wish to give unrealistic expectations. There may be good reasons the decision was made.