Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the supports provided for members of the Defence Forces that undergo traumatic experiences while serving on UN mandated missions. [24054/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 14 of 10 May 2018 on this matter, I can assure the Deputy that the Defence Forces are fully aware of the importance of providing robust supports for personnel who require them, whatever the reason.

A range of medical and non-medical services are provided to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are medically fit to undertake the duties assigned to them and to treat any medical condition that may arise.

Psychiatric and psychological services, as well as the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service (PSS) are made available to members of the Defence Forces.  These provide for the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric or psychological disorders through to counselling and critical incident stress management. Until recently, certain psychiatric services were provided on a contract for services basis. This contractual arrangement has now ended and the Defence Forces are identifying alternative options for the provision of these psychiatric services.

In response to any significant operational incidents at home or overseas, PSS personnel trained in Critical Incident Stress Management are deployed to provide both one-to-one and group psychological support.  Defence Forces personnel have, both while on a tour of duty and following their return home, access to a Primary Carer Medical Practitioner, either military (Medical Officer) or civilian (GP), whose role it is to assess, diagnose, treat and refer individuals as necessary. Personnel experiencing psychological issues can be referred for assessment and treatment as appropriate.