Written answers

Thursday, 18 September 2025

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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61. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the required number of nurses, doctors and dentists required by the Army nursing service to operate at full capacity; the number in 2020; and the current number.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48883/25]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A wide range of primary care medical services, encompassing a broad array of disciplines are provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force under the auspices of the Defence Forces Medical Corps. A range of measures to ensure continuity of service of all aspects of medical care to personnel are employed, including outsourcing, contracted professionals and agency workers, as appropriate.

With regard to the number of personnel serving in particular roles, Defence Forces Regulation CS4 and its accompanying Administrative Instructions provide for the organisation and numerical establishment of Defence Forces Units, and includes the required number of doctors and dentists. I am informed by the military authorities of the following information regarding strength versus establishment for these positions in the years 2020 and 2025:

Strength 2020 (at 31 December) Strength 2025 (Current) Establishment (per CS4)
Army Nursing Service 2 1 N/A*
Medical Officers 19 23 28**
Dental Officers 3 4 7
*ANS positions are not included in the Permanent Defence Force (CS4) establishment.

**The Medical Officer establishment includes a psychiatrist position which is currently filled by a civilian consultant.

I am advised that there has been no recruitment into the ANS since the early 1990s. This is in line with the cessation of in-house hospital care in the Defence Forces in favour of external hospitalisation and specialist referral. There has also been an increase in the number of other medical professionals such as Emergency Medical Technicians, Combat Medical Technicians, Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics who can be deployed more readily both at home and overseas.

A Review of the Provision of Medical Services has been completed and is currently under consideration, with an implementation plan in development. The Review will inform future recruitment within the Defence Forces Medical Corps.

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