Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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36. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the Army nursing service; the decision to outsource to private contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49294/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that there has been no recruitment into the Army Nursing Service (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. ANS nurses are currently supplemented by agency nurses where there is a need to provide additional support.

The review of the medical services completed in December 2024 makes specific recommendations with respect to the future of nursing in the Defence Forces. These are currently under consideration and an implementation plan is being prepared.