James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to commission an independent review of mental health services for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7103/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Mental health services are part of the range of medical services provided so as to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are medically fit to undertake the duties assigned to them and to treat any medical conditions arising which would inhibit their capacity to undertake such duties. The mental health support services, available to members of the Permanent Defence Force, range from psychiatric and psychological services to the Personnel Support Service and cover the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric or psychological disorders through to counselling and critical incident stress management.

The Personnel Support Service is a confidential information, education, support and referral service designed to give Defence Forces personnel access to information and services both from within the military system and outside it. The service is also available to the families of serving personnel.

A Confidential Helpline & Counselling Service for serving personnel who are in crisis has also been contracted. This service can refer individuals in crisis for counselling in their local area. The service complements existing Defence Forces personnel support services.

Having regard to difficulties in recruiting medical personnel, and specifically doctors to the Defence Forces, it has been necessary to identify alternative options for the provision of medical services. In this connection a joint civil/military Standing Committee has been set up with a view to advancing the development of a sustainable integrated medical service and to address the appropriate means of delivery of key medical capabilities for the Defence Forces. An integrated model for the provision of the required medical services, involving both the Medical Corps and outsourced service provision, where appropriate, is currently being progressed.

A review of each medical service, including mental health services, is being carried out by the committee in order to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the most appropriate means of delivering key medical capabilities to the Defence Forces.