Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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66. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has concerns regarding the recruitment and retention of trained medical personnel for the Defence Forces. [24364/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Defence Forces medical capability encompasses a broad range of disciplines including doctors (medical officers), dentists, physiotherapists and pharmacists. Vacancies in these disciplines are advertised as they arise and are filled in a number of different ways. The Defence Forces have also trained enlisted Defence Forces personnel at Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic and Advance Paramedic grades.

Vacancies that exist within the medical officer discipline are filled by direct entry recruitment and through the Military Medicine Training Scheme.  To date, in 2020, the Military Medicine Training Scheme has recruited an additional 2 doctors.  There are currently 3 pending offers of employment for Direct Entry Medical Officer and consideration is being given to the conduct of further competitions. 

The recruitment and retention of trained medical personnel, as with other specialist areas within the Defence Forces, is a matter of prioritiy for me.