Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Defence the position in relation to soldiers who are out on sick leave due to illness for a sustained period of time; the entitlements they have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7306/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Enlisted personnel retain an entitlement to paid sick leave, provided this leave is certified by a Medical Officer of the Defence Forces or on the recommendation of a civilian medical practitioner. All enlisted personnel are entitled to medical care at the Department of Defence expense.

The Defence Forces supply medical care to all members of the Permanent Defence Force, either directly from Permanent Defence Force Medical Corps resources, or by appropriate referral to civilian facilities. Accordingly, the Medical Corps maintains full awareness of the medical status of each member. In the case of members who are on sick leave for a sustained period of time, their medical status is reviewed regularly, and the progress of their treatment, whether supplied directly by the Medical Corps or by way of referral, is monitored.

Defence Force Regulations provide for formal "Boarding" by a military Medical Board in cases where the sick leave of an enlisted man exceeds 90 calendar days in any period of twelve months. Furthermore, enlisted personnel may be referred to a Medical Board in cases where a Medical Officer is of the opinion that a disability or illness is likely to be of a permanent or protracted nature, preventing performance of military duties. It is also provided that cases of frequent or recurrent sick leave will lead to referral to a Medical Board.

The Medical Board is charged with determining whether:

(a) The soldier is fit for duty, or

(b) A further period of sick leave or treatment is likely to render him/her fit for duty, or

(c) He/she is unfit for further service in the Permanent Defence Force.

The Medical Corps endeavours to provide a first class health care system at home and overseas and to promote and sustain adequate levels of health and fitness of Defence Forces personnel in order to support the Defence Forces in the execution of their assigned roles.