Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 May 2008

Vol. 655 No. 2

Priority Questions.

Overseas Missions.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

1 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence if a medevac helicopter is located at the Irish battalion headquarters in Chad; if not, the location of the nearest medevac helicopter to the battalion headquarters in Chad; the approximate flying time from there to the battalion headquarters and from that headquarters to the nearest level 2 medical facility; the approximate flying time from the furthest extremity of the Irish area of operations to the nearest level 2 medical facility; if the medevac helicopters available can operate in all weathers; the alternative arrangements that have been made in the event of the helicopters not being able to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20061/08]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)

If a medical emergency arises, the most important aspect is that the troops in question have immediate access to appropriate medical care to treat any injuries and, if necessary, stabilise the patient. In the case of the Defence Forces contingent in Chad, three doctors, along with a team of fully trained emergency medical technicians, will be deployed with the force in Goz Beida at all times and will accompany troops when they are out on patrol. In the event of an injury, the medical personnel will stabilise the patient and determine the further care requirements and the optimum way to provide such care. In some cases that may be a return to the Irish base in an ambulance and onward transmission to a role 2 facility in Abeche, with subsequent medevac or repatriation from Abeche. In some cases it may be that the further care required is to evacuate the patient from the area of the incident to a safe area where a helicopter can land and then medevac to a role 1 or role 2 facility.

A medevac helicopter is currently located in Abeche. Two other helicopters being provided by Poland will also be located in Abeche. Three other medium lift helicopters and a fixed wing medevac aircraft will be located at N'Djamena. A landing area and fuel supplies are available at the Irish base in Goz Beida. Helicopters, therefore, could be deployed forward from Abeche to Goz Beida as required. Arrangements for the deployment of additional helicopters and fixed wing aircraft from Russia and the Ukraine are currently being finalised.

I am assured by the military authorities that they are fully satisfied with the existing arrangements. However, as a contingency, the option of having a helicopter based full-time in Goz Beida is currently under examination and further planning is ongoing in that regard. I assure the House that if there is a requirement to base helicopters in Goz Beida, that will be done.

Regarding the other detailed and specific information sought by the Deputy, the following is the position. Abeche, where the medevac helicopters and role 2 facility is located, is approximately 190 km from Goz Beida and just over one hour flying time. The maximum flying duration from the most extreme possible point of the Irish operations to a role 2 facility is one hour and 50 minutes. The medevac helicopters can operate in all-weather conditions and have night flying capability. In addition, the air strip at Goz Beida can accommodate a fixed wing medevac aircraft.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

In view of the fact that the Minister has made a commitment to provide whatever backup services are required, will he ensure that a medevac helicopter is provided at Goz Beida at all times? It takes approximately an hour to get from Abeche to Goz Beida by helicopter and if it must carry on to the outer extremity of the section the Irish mission will control, it could take up to two hours. The Minister mentioned one hour 50 minutes but I have no doubt he is aware of the golden hour in that when somebody is seriously injured on the field they are taken to a level 2 military hospital within an hour. From what the Minister said earlier, that requirement cannot be fulfilled. I appeal to the Minister that if the proper medical service is to be available to our troops, it should be provided at Goz Beida. I am aware he is examining the possibility of further helicopters being provided. The Minister should insist on that because the feedback I am getting indicates there is concern that such a service is not available.

Is the Minister aware that the rainy season is about to commence, which will coincide with the arrival of the main part of the Irish mission, and that at times it will be impossible for jeeps to travel over land because of widespread flooding in the Irish sector? Also, there is a concern that because of atmospheric conditions helicopters may not be able to travel long distances because of fuelling capacity. Has that aspect been considered? If, for example, helicopters cannot——

An Ceann Comhairle

The time has almost expired.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

——perform the duty, what alternative arrangements will be in place at that time?

Deputy Willie O’Dea

I understand Deputy Deenihan's question but he appears to have a misconception of what is meant by the golden hour. The golden hour is the availability of immediate medical treatment and, as I said in my initial reply, any Irish patrol going out on operation will be accompanied by one or more medical officers and a number of other people who are medically qualified, some of whom will be paramedics. They will be available to provide treatment immediately. We have found that in many cases the patient needs to be stabilised, even if they have to be taken to a level 1 or level 2 hospital subsequently. That is the reality on the ground.

Deputy Deenihan asked if I was aware of the situation and I have discussed it with various people. As late as this morning, I discussed the matter with the Chief of Staff and the operation commander, Lieutenant General Nash. They have both assured me, and asked me to communicate to the House, that they are perfectly satisfied with the arrangements in place. In fact, in so far as the travelling times are concerned, I recall——

An Ceann Comhairle

The time for this question has concluded.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

——the situation in Liberia where the helicopters were based in Monrovia, which was about twice as far away from where the Irish troops were patrolling. We had fewer medical facilities, fewer air assets and further distances to travel in Liberia. This is one of the best supported missions from the point of view of safety in which we have ever engaged.

Jack Wall

Question:

2 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the plans for members of the Reserve Defence Force to serve on overseas missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20166/08]

Deputy Willie O’Dea

The White Paper on Defence outlines the blue print for a new Reserve Defence Force. This blueprint outlined a new reserve with a clearly defined role, an enhanced relationship with the Permanent Defence Force, better equipment and training and opportunities for reservists to serve on overseas peace support missions.

An implementation plan has been developed that will ensure the realisation of the White Paper vision. The plan is being rolled out over the period to the end of 2009. There has been significant progress to date in implementing the detailed recommendations of the plan, for example, a new organisation structure implemented and major improvements in clothing, equipment, training and resourcing. In addition, the reserve is now organised along similar lines to the PDF and the development of the integrated element of the reserve is in its second year. All of these changes are enhancing the capabilities of the reserve as well as improving interoperability with the PDF. These factors are significant enablers in facilitating future participation by reserve personnel in overseas missions.

An Agreed Programme for Government contains the commitment to fully execute the Reserve Defence Force, RDF, implementation plan by the end 2009 target, including the introduction of procedures to allow suitably qualified RDF personnel serve on overseas duties.

There are no plans for participation by members of the reserve in overseas missions in the current year. However, it is hoped that a small number of reservists will be available to serve overseas by the end of next year, 2009. As specified in the plan, any such participation by members of the reserve is likely to be in specialised areas such as medical, transport, engineering and communications and information services. This will also be subject to personnel having suitable qualifications, their personal availability and appropriate advance training.

Deputy Jack Wall

I thank the Minister for his reply. Coming from Kildare I am aware of the great interest in the Defence Forces and the Army reserve. What are the current numbers in regard to the reserve? What is the age profile of reservists? In the groups I am aware of many of them are young people and, therefore, overseas missions will play a major part in their willingness to continue in the Reserve Defence Force.

In that regard, how will the Minister balance the obvious need highlighted in other reports about a shortage in the Medical Corps and so on with increasing interest among members of the Reserve Defence Force to serve overseas in a medical capacity or whatever? How can we generate that interest and ensure they continue to participate and that it is not just a seven day whim for them to be members of the Defence Forces? We must ensure that we see a continued growth in that regard.

The first movement in that direction will see a whole new emphasis as regards the reserve forces. Given the age profile, does this mean that a good many young people are really interested in this? The follow-on from it should be that as we move forward there will be far greater participation from the reserve Defence Forces overseas, to complement the Permanent Defence Force.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

As regards Deputy Wall's first question, the number, I am informed, is 8,265 of which 7,914 are Army and 317 are Naval Service. I do not have the age profile, although it has reduced considerably in recent years. I shall get that detail for Deputy Wall. On how to create an interest, I suppose the best way is to encourage people to join the reserve and discourage them from leaving it once they join. The section of the White Paper concerned with the reserve force is all about that. There is better training, equipment and resourcing as well as the development of the integrated reserve. Development of the latter has been much slower than we thought, yet it is coming on considerably as of last year. These reforms must be put in place. We have now done that and are allowing them to be bedded down. There are two other simultaneous steps. One is the development of the frontline reserve, which we are hoping to find a useful role for and we are looking at a report on that. The second is the question of allowing reservists to serve overseas. In this regard, next year we are hoping to have a limited number of reservists who will be enabled to serve overseas. Depending on the experience gained from that participation, we shall develop this. Obviously, it will require discussions with employers etc. I anticipate that sufficient numbers of people will be available without getting into changing labour law, having agreements with IBEC or whatever, to start the initiative. From inquiries I am getting, there is quite a degree of interest. I have no doubt that when we decide on a quota of reservists, we shall be sending them overseas next year. It will probably be in technical areas such as transport, engineering, communications etc., but I have no doubt we shall have no difficulty whatsoever in fulfilling that quota.

Consultancy Contracts.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

3 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in appointing consultants to carry out a review of the Defence Forces medical services; the proposed terms of reference for the consultants; the date by which it is anticipated the consultants will submit their report to him; if he will publish the consultants’ report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20062/08]

Deputy Willie O’Dea

Military medical services and their facilities exist to maintain the health of the Defence Forces and to support them in operational and overseas activities. The focus of the military medical service is on primary care, occupational medicine, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training.

The challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time and a review of the provision of medical services, in association with the representative associations, is ongoing as part of the modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces. In view of the complexity of the challenge facing the Defence Forces in this area, I decided to engage consultants to make recommendations on the best means of meeting their medical requirements. The consultancy will focus on the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces.

The consultancy is expected to deliver the following items: a review of the medical input required for the Defence Forces in the light of their roles and operations, an assessment of the current arrangements for the provision of medical services, a recommendation regarding sustainable future provision of the required medical input,and a work plan, outlining the main projects necessary, with timescales and a costing matrix for the implementation of recommendations.

It is expected a contract will be awarded shortly and I expect the report to be delivered before the end of the year. I eagerly await receipt of the report and I assure the House that following consideration of the recommendations I will publish the report and engage with all of the key stakeholders on the way ahead.

The development of the medical corps forms part of An Agreed Programme for Government. I am committed to providing a sustainable medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces both at home and abroad. Notwithstanding the current situation I can assure the House that Defence Forces personnel requiring medical treatment are getting the care they need.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

This is a matter of genuine concern for the Defence Forces in view of the fact that the PWC report and also the White Paper recommend an establishment of 47 doctors. I understand we have 23 currently, ten of whom are non-nationals. It is a major issue and something that cannot just be passed over lightly.

Can the Minister indicate when will the consultants be appointed and commence their work? Can he give a precise date on when he expects them to report? He mentioned they would engage with all interest groups. Will they engage with RACO, PDFORRA, military personnel, the Department of Defence and the special ongoing committee that is examining medical services within the Defence Forces?

In his reply, the Minister might indicate how much his Department is spending on engaging civilian medical practitioners for medical care in the Defence Forces and for outsourcing various services that could be provided if he had a full establishment.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

I must correct Deputy Deenihan slightly — 47 is the established figure, as he rightly says, and we have 22 currently. Six are non-nationals, but of course they are properly qualified medical practitioners. Basically, in recent times we have considerably improved pay and conditions, in agreement with the Department of Finance, for people working in the medical corps of the Army. In addition, we have run a number of intensive recruitment campaigns, although unfortunately the results have been disappointing. Since 2000 some 15 doctors have left the Army, and we have only managed to recruit ten, so obviously our numbers are down.

As regards when the consultants will be appointed, the tender documents are being evaluated and I expect they will be in place within the next three weeks and told to get to work immediately. I understand, from speaking to various people that we expect to be in possession of the consultants' report before the end of the year. Deputy Deenihan asked whether they would engage with RACO, PDFORRA etc. I do not know whether the consultants will directly engage with those organisations, but certainly I shall publish the report and I shall engage with PDFORRA, RACO etc. as regards what the consultants say. If the consultants want to talk directly to RACO, PDFORRA etc., I have no objection whatsoever.

As regards Deputy Deenihan's financial question about the amount of expenditure on doctors we employ because we have not got the medical personnel ourselves, the point must be made that if we did we should have to pay them anyway. I do not have the figure to hand, but I will get it for the Deputy.

Defence Forces Review.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

4 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in implementing the commitment in the action plan under the pay agreement and modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces that the parties to the agreement would engage in discussions to identify and explore the full range of the challenges to achieving optimum structures and flexibility and would complete this element of their discussions by June 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20063/08]

Deputy Willie O’Dea

The commitment to which the Deputy refers is one of 17 contained in the action plan under the pay agreement and modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces. The action plan is itself derived from the modernisation agenda of March 2007 agreed with the Defence Forces representative associations and both are in turn, modelled on the Towards 2016 agreement between the social partners.

This particular commitment, the opening one in the action plan, is in the nature of an overall statement of intent with regard to optimising the structures and flexibility in the Defence Forces. The commitment is set in the context of the successful reduction in Permanent Defence Force numbers to 10,500 and maintenance of the three-brigade structure in line with the recommendations of the White Paper on Defence 2000. The general commitment to modernisation and change is recited within this context. I know the Deputy is fully aware of the tremendous progress that has been made in the modernisation of the Defence Forces since 2000 which is described in detail in the White Paper on Defence 2000 — Review of Implementation, published by my Department in April 2007. The action plan elaborates on a wide range of further commitments across the whole spectrum of change and modernisation in the Defence Forces. There are a number of these areas where significant progress has been made and others where work remains to be done. These have been the subject of discussion in this House on many occasions, including today, on which I will be answering questions on medical services in the Defence Forces, the re-organisation of the Reserve Defence Force and civilianisation, among other subjects.

I am satisfied with the overall progress made to date in implementing the action plan. As provided for in the modernisation agenda and pay agreement, a performance verification group, PVG, monitors performance against the commitments set out in the action plan and makes recommendations as to whether the pay increases set out in the agreement are justified. The Defence Forces representative associations, my Department and the military authorities are represented on the PVG. The group has an independent chairman, Mr. Frank Murray, former Secretary General to the Government.

The PVG meets on a regular basis to review progress on all elements of the action plan. The two most recent meetings were on 12 December 2007 and 25 January 2008. The next meeting is scheduled for 30 July 2008.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

In the context of the action plan, what progress has been made on garrison deployment, split units, the inability to redeploy personnel in certain circumstances, the number of personnel serving without appointments, SWAs, and the deployment of personnel enlisted prior to and after 1 January 1993?

There is some concern over the number of women recruited to the Defence Forces. The Minister launched a number of initiatives in this regard but apparently the recruitment rate is quite slow. The initiatives are not succeeding. Will the Minister be specific about the questions I have asked?

Deputy Willie O’Dea

We have made significant progress on the modernisation of the Army generally. There are no less than 17 commitments in the action plan. We are far advanced in respect of some and not as advanced as we would like to be in respect of others. Needless to say, considerable progress has been made.

Outside the context of the action plan, modernisation continues, virtually on a weekly basis. Meetings take place weekly between the representative associations and the military on specific matters.

On split garrisons and the other matters about which Deputy Deenihan asked, no proposals have been forwarded by management or the representative associations as yet. With the benefit of hindsight, it is felt the commitment may have been made in too broad a manner in the final action plan to provide an effective framework for discussion on specific issues. Instead, it has served very effectively to set the tone of the discussion for the remaining 16 commitments in the action plan, on some of which we have made considerable progress.

On the recruitment of women, Deputy Deenihan will be aware that we reduced the height requirement from 5 ft. 4 in. to 5 ft. 2 in. This increased the pool of women available to approximately 90% of all women. We have also undertaken some research and the Chief of Staff will make some recommendations on its outcome. The results of the research were quite positive in many ways. Some 75% of women expressed satisfaction with Army life and up to 80% stated they were extremely happy. Their experience was good. A number of specific recommendations were made on how we recruit, including the means of advertisement and the setting up of recruitment stands. I am awaiting specific proposals in this regard from the Chief of Staff and when I receive them I will take action.

Defence Forces Medical Services.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

5 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the action, in view of the statement by his Minister of State in this House on 10 April 2008 that in regard to the patients charter agreed for the Defence Forces he had been assured that issues such as publicising the charter, displaying names of medical personnel and the awareness of personnel with responsibility for the management of medical care would be addressed in the coming weeks, that has been taken in each of these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20064/08]

Deputy Willie O’Dea

The challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time and a review of the provision of medical services, in association with the representative associations, is ongoing as part of the modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces. The scope of the review includes the level of service to be provided to members of the Defence Forces and the resources required for the delivery of that service.

The review has produced the patients charter with the agreement of all parties, which I welcome. The agreement on the patients charter identifies the rights of members of the Defence Forces as patients and their obligations as users of the Defence Forces medical services. It also identifies the obligations on the providers of the services.

The implementation of the patients charter is under way. The military authorities have assured me that the patients charter has been published on the Medical Corps section of the Defence Forces intranet site. In addition, copies have been circulated, for display, to all of the medical aid posts and clinics. The brigade medical officers have also been directed to implement its provisions.

However, the full implementation of the charter is clearly dependent on the resolution of the structural, resource and other challenges facing the Medical Corps. As I have stated, the challenges we face with medical services in the Defence Forces go beyond the patients charter. It is but one item on the medical review agenda.

As I have already advised, consultants are being engaged to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The patients charter will inform the deliberations of the consultants.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

The feedback I am receiving from certain elements of the Defence Forces is that the content of the patients charter has not been communicated to all the rank and file members. Will the Minister ensure that this is done? Will he appoint some high-ranking offices to take charge of the implementation of the patients charter? This seems to make sense. The charter is just not displayed at doctors' surgeries and other locations in the barracks around the country. I am sure it is possible to make its content known to every member of the Defence Forces by letter. Some time ago, the Minister sent a communication to everyone in the country about the national emergency plan and, therefore, it should be possible to communicate the content of the patients charter to the 13,000 military personnel in the Defence Forces. Some years ago, the content of the dignity charter was communicated and displayed widely. The same should apply to the patients charter.

Is there a commitment in the patients charter that every member of the Defence Forces will have a medical check in the course of any given year? I understand there is,. but last year approximately 2,000 personnel did not have a medical check.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

I take the Deputy's point about communicating the content of the charter to every member of the Defence Forces. I have no doubt that this was suggested to him but what we have done was requested at meetings of the representative associations and the military. It was requested that the charter be published on the intranet site and communicated to the medical aid posts and clinics. It was also requested that the medical aid officers be instructed to implement the charter in each brigade area. Nobody made a request to me to communicate the content of the charter to every individual but I am quite open to it if the representatives want to approach me in that regard.

Deputy Deenihan stated the charter is not displayed at all the appropriate locations. I was informed by the people to whom I spoke in recent days that it is displayed quite prominently in certain areas.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

Not every area.

Deputy Willie O’Dea

It is not displayed in every area yet. Some of the measures in the charter will not be implemented until we manage to deal with the structural problems we have been discussing. I will certainly consider and talk to people about the suggestion that a particular officer be appointed to take charge of the charter.

There is a commitment in the charter to offering an annual medical check to every member of the Defence Forces. We hope to do better in this regard this year but, as I stated, circumstances will not be ideal until the underlying problems are dealt with effectively.