Vol. 513 No. 1
218 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence if he will make the Curragh hospital available to treat patients in view of the huge demand being made on hospital services and, in particular, at Naas general hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1670/00]
The Defence Forces review implementation plan provided that military hospital services such as general medical and surgical services, some specialist services and medical supplies would be centralised at St. Bricin's Hospital in Dublin, which currently provides a certain limited level of inpatient capacity together with pharmacy services and a wide range of outpatient services for the Defence Forces.
The plan envisaged that the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh would be served by a more limited military medical facility focusing mainly on outpatient medical services, including routine pharmacy and dental services, together with a limited five day "infirmary" type inpatient facility.
The military medical facility at the Defence Forces Training Centre was never intended to provide acute general hospital services. In addition, numerous legal and insurance issues would need to be addressed before such a proposal could be considered.
The Department of Health and Children has responsibility for the provision of public health services for the general civilian population through the regional health boards, public voluntary hospitals and other agencies.
