Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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233. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that members of the Defence Forces are offered mental health supports when they return from foreign deployment without having to first request it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7591/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Mental health supports are available to all members of the Defence Forces while serving at home or on overseas deployments. I am advised that the repatriation medical examination following deployment includes mental health screening. Personnel are subsequently referred by Medical Officers for treatment to the Defence Forces Mental Health Team if deemed to be required. This includes access to in-house clinical psychiatry and psychology services. The psychology service assesses, diagnoses, treats and advises on strategies to prevent mental health disorders, while psychiatry services specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.

I am further advised that personnel returning recently with 125 IRISHBATT in Lebanon received a brief on safe return from deployment, and were provided with advice and contact information of internal and external mental health support services. In addition, Defence Forces Personnel Support Service (PSS) team members conducted short one-on-one meetings with members of the unit on their return to duty in Ireland. This is a control measure to check on personnel and to ensure they are aware of available services for themselves and for members of their families.

The PSS also briefs Units and personnel going overseas on stress management and awareness. It also trains overseas teams in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and conducts Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) when required.