Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Defence the level of capacity at military hospitals or convalescent facilities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7211/06]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Defence the level of medical services available to members of the Defence Forces; the number of doctors employed by the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7192/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 55 together.

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 reorganisation of the medical corps, which was effected as part of the Defence Forces review implementation plan in November 1998, redirected the focus of military medical care from a predominantly hospital based service to one in which primary, occupational and field support would continue to be further developed.

The medical corps facilities are as follows: St. Bricin's Military Hospital, Dublin, three military medical facilities, MMF, located in Cork, Athlone and the Curragh and 17 medical centres, one in each of the other permanently occupied military barracks. St. Bricin's Military Hospital and the three military medical facilities have associated infirmaries for the care of living-in personnel, largely recruits and other training course students, who may become injured or ill. There are appointments for a physician as well as X-ray, pharmacy and screening audiometry facilities. Physiotherapy facilities are available at St. Bricin's Military Hospital and the MMF in Cork and the Curragh.

The focus of the military medical service is on primary care, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training. The range of services provided by the medical corps includes: a military occupational medical service; a primary medical care service; a secondary medical care service; a preventive medical service; provision of medicines and dressings; dental services; a field medical service; training; maintenance of medical records; and medico-legal services.

The statistical information in relation to capacity as at 26 May 2005, the latest date for which figures are available, is provided in the following table. The establishment for medical officers — doctors — in the Permanent Defence Force is 47. The current strength of medical officers — doctors — is 21. Two of these medical officers are on leave of absence without pay. Four are serving on a short service commission of which two are serving in Liberia.

The services of civilian general practitioners are regularly engaged to provide primary care when medical officers are not available. The Defence Forces are dependent, in the normal course, on civilian health care facilities for secondary and tertiary hospital services.