Jack Wall
Question:11 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of soldiers who underwent audiogram tests in the periods 1952-60, 1960-70, 1970-80, 1980-90 and 1990-8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5265/98]
Priority Questions. - Audiogram Tests.
Military personnel are provided with a comprehensive free medical service. During the period 1952-90 all audiograms which were carried out on members of the Defence Forces were performed as part of investigation or treatment of individuals. The records were parts of the individual medical records and were not consolidated; it is not possible, therefore, to give any estimate of the number of audiograms performed during that period.
Consolidated records of audiograms are available from 1990. Some personnel will have had more than one audiogram carried out. The details are as follows: Eastern Command 1990-8, 6,293; Southern Command 1992-8, 10,569; Western Command 1995-8, 3,241 and Curragh Command 1995-8, 3,374.
Members of the Permanent Defence Force undergo audiometric testing when such tests are required on clinical grounds, or as part of the Defence Forces care of hearing programme. Currently a programme of audiometric testing is in progress to ensure the hearing acuity of all members of the Defence Forces is established.
Does the Minister agree that the system of keeping individual records is one of the reasons the Defence Forces and the Department are now facing such problems? Does he agree that the problem could have been apprehended at a far earlier stage if the information available to the Defence Forces and the Department had been acted upon sooner?
It is fair to say that almost any organisation could improve on its history, and that is true of the Defence Forces also. The records have not been consolidated so we do not know the position. We know that an average of 100 audiometric tests were carried out each year. It appears there were no significant complaints by Army personnel in that area.
From the late 1960s until 1987, when there was a much clearer position on employer's responsibility for safety at work, significant sums of up to £2 million were spent on hearing protective equipment. However, we do not seem to be able to say in court that whoever was in charge on the day in question insisted that took place. It seems it was spasmodic and could have been better. The world would be a much better place if every detail which people know now could be put in place retrospectively. However, we must try to make the best of the situation we have inherited.
Why was the Factories Act not applied to the Defence Forces, which would have allowed those records to be made available to the Department?
I honestly do not know the answer. Personal medical records are quite a private arrangement, although we can examine how they could be consolidated. However, it seems to be a matter of closing the door after the horse has bolted. I have not engaged very much in the history of what happened. There was a problem on my desk which I have tried to take forward. We must learn the lessons of the past as quickly as possible so that nothing we do now will cause problems for future generations.
As the time for priority questions has now concluded Questions Nos. 13 and 14 may be taken in ordinary time. Question No. 12 cannot be taken.