Vol. 529 No. 2
97 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the number of medical officer posts vacant in the Defence Forces; the steps he is taking to have those posts filled; and the average period that these posts have been vacant. [2602/01]
There are 22 vacancies for medical officers in the medical corps. Such vacancies are frequently and widely advertised. Two medical officers have been recruited in the last two years. The most recent competition to recruit medical officers was advertised in December 2000 and arising from this six applicants will be interviewed in the near future.
In common with other health service providers within the public sector, the medical corps is encountering difficulty in recruiting medical personnel. However, my Department will continue, in consultation with the director medical corps, to seek to recruit additional personnel. In any case where Army medical officers are not available, suitable local arrangements are made with civilian medical practitioners to ensure the appropriate level of professional care is available to members of the Defence Forces.
