James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason it is not possible for all former medical officers employed in the Defence Forces to conduct annual medical examinations and assist in eliminating any shortfall that may exist. [6350/08]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of annual medical examinations conducted by the Defence Forces Medical Services in 2007; the reason for any shortfall; and the way he proposes to eradicate this deficit in 2008. [6349/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 159 together.

All members of the Permanent Defence Forces are required to undergo an annual medical examination. In 2007 a total of 8,111 annual medicals were conducted. The shortage of Medical Officers in the Medical Corps was the principal reason why every member of the Defence Forces did not undergo a medical examination in 2007. Personnel due to serve overseas, those wishing to extend service and recruits and cadets are among those prioritised for medical examination.

The services of civilian medical Practitioners are used to provide back-up to the Medical Corps in ensuring that the primary health care requirements of the Defence Forces are met. This can include retired Defence Force medical officers. However, previous service in the Defence Forces does not, of itself, constitute sufficient reason to engage any particular doctor. Annual medical examinations are part of the occupational medical service of the Defence Forces and the preference is, therefore, that they be conducted by serving Medical Officers.

The challenges facing the Medical Corps have been recognized for some time and a review of the provision of medical services is ongoing as part of the Modernisation Agenda for the Defence Forces. The Representative Associations are involved with us in this review. 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.

Given the ongoing issues and mindful of the need to make progress in this area I have decided to engage consultants to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The potential contribution of civilian medical practitioners will be within the scope of this consultancy. The documents to invite tenders for this consultancy will be issued shortly.