Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Defence if the final reports from a number of the working groups on the implementation of the Defence Forces medical review, including those on the future medical information system, organisation and establishment, training and education, and financial arrangements and outsourcing, were received as predicted by 30 April 2010; if he will inform the Houses of the Oireachtas of the contents of those reports; if it is his intention to publish those reports; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/10]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Defence when it is proposed to appoint the line colonel to act as commander of the central medical unit proposed in the PA Consulting group review of the medical services; if it is planned that this appointment will be at the rank of colonel indefinitely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23528/10]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of the seven recommendations of the PA report that have been completely implemented regarding the provision of medical services in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23407/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 41, and 55 together.

The PA Report assessed the current arrangements for the provision of medical services and proposed a model for future delivery of those services. The Consultants recommended a programme of major change.

As recommended by PA, Working Groups have been set up to progress the various projects identified. These continue to meet regularly and all have submitted reports.

While none of the 7 recommendations from the PA Report have been completely implemented, the programme of implementation is progressing. In particular the Steering Group has:-

Approved the high level organisation for the unit, which now includes a Line officer in the rank of Colonel commanding the Medical Corps.

Authorised the immediate introduction of a single annual medical for all Defence Forces personnel.

Directed, following the findings and recommendations of the Future Medical Information System Working Group, that all Medical Corps personnel will implement the Personnel Management System Medical Module.

Directed the establishment of formal links with the Medical Council, the Health Services Executive, Royal College of Surgeons etc. to explore external training for Doctors in the Defence Forces Medical Services.

Progress has also been made on implementation of many of the other PA recommendations including the development of medical officer lead care teams and the re-focusing of medical staff on appropriate clinical tasks.

The Line officer, in the rank of Colonel, to command the new Centralised Medical Unit for the Medical Corps is to take up duty within the next 2 weeks.

Final Reports from the Training & Education and the Financial Arrangements & Outsourcing Working Groups have been completed and will be considered by the Steering Group in the coming weeks. A draft of the Future Medical Information System working group final report is currently being considered by members of the group and will be finalised shortly.

The date of receipt of the final report from the Organisation & Establishment Working Group has been extended until 30 June 2010 to enable that Group to have full consideration of the reports of the other Working Groups. The Clinical Review Working Group is not due to submit its final report until 30 September 2010. However, monthly reports are being submitted in the interim. It is only following completion of this phase that full implementation of the PA recommendations can be achieved. It is not my intention to publish the final reports of the working groups as they are internal consultative papers whose function is to inform and advise senior management.

The process for implementation also requires that consultation with the Representative Associations must take place regarding any change within the scope of representation. Publication of the Working Group reports would not be appropriate considering the discussions, which will take place with the Representative Associations under the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme in the near future.

It is expected that there will be substantial progress before the end of the year in implementing recommendations. Some issues will be resolved quickly while others will require significant consideration and will for example require negotiation with the Representative Associations.