John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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795. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures in place to provide for the healthcare and welfare of members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14949/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A wide range of medical services are provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at the State's expense. These include:

- an annual medical examination,

- sick parades,

- attendance at GP surgery outside of sick parade and out-of-hours GP services,

- prescription services,

- laboratory services,

- physiotherapy,

- chiropody,

- radiology,

- ophthalmic examinations,

- clinical mental health services provided by an in-house psychiatrist and two in-house psychologists,

- in-patient and outpatient public hospital charges,

- routine dental treatment, and

- the provision of overseas medical services, including global comprehensive medical insurance in the case of Defence Forces personnel (including dependents) assigned to longer term overseas administrative posts.

Commissioned Officers and members of the Army Nursing Service may also avail of private consultant appointments and diagnostic tests, and private/semi-private hospital treatment dependent on rank. The Programme for Government contains a committment to "ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do". A Working Group has been established to bring forward proposals on this matter and report back to me during 2021.

In addition, the Defence Forces Personnel Support Services (PSS) provide a welfare, information, psycho-social support and referral service, that is professional, responsive and confidential, to serving members of the Defence Forces and their families and to civilian employees, and in a limited role to veterans, to sustain and enhance the individual wellbeing of personnel, and to promote a safe and positive work culture in order to support the effectiveness of the Defence Forces. The PSS provides a friendly and familiar service to discuss any issues, big or small, that may be giving cause for concern. In addition, the service provides an array of professional skills to support military personnel and their families. For routine advice and for more serious issues, PSS provides confidential and professional support, giving military personnel and their families advice, information and guidance.

As additional support, the Department of Defence has arranged the provision of a confidential counselling, referral and support service, on a wide range of personal and work related issues, for serving members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Civil Defence members. A Freephone confidential helpline is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year and is staffed by fully-trained and experienced counsellors.

The Chaplaincy Service also provides confidential, comprehensive pastoral support and spiritual care to personnel at home and overseas.