Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Defence if the contract has been signed in regard to the consultancy on the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26007/08]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made on the planned review of the medical services of the Defence Forces by external consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25781/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 113 together.

Military medical services and their facilities exist to maintain the health of the Defence Forces and to support them in operational and overseas activities. The focus of the military medical service is on primary care, occupational medicine, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training.

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.

In view of the complexity of the challenge facing the Defence Forces in this area, I decided to engage consultants to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The consultancy will focus on the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces.

The Consultancy is expected to deliver the following:

A review of the medical input required for the DF in the light of the roles and operations of the DF.

An assessment of the current arrangements for the provision of medical services.

A recommendation regarding sustainable future provision of the required medical input.

A work plan, outlining the main projects necessary, with timescales and a costing matrix for the implementation of recommendations.

PA Consulting has been awarded the contract for the medical consultancy. The first phase, which is a review of the current and future requirements in relation to medical services, has already started. I expect the report to be delivered before the end of the year. I eagerly await receipt of the report and I can assure the House that following consideration of the recommendations I will publish the report and engage with all of the key stakeholders on the way ahead.

The development of the Medical Corps forms part of the 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, I can assure the House that Defence Forces personnel requiring medical treatment are getting the care they need.