Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
589. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Defence the number of doctors, nurses, dentists that have been recruited to the Defence Forces Medical Corps in each of the past three years; if a recruitment drive is likely this year in the Medical Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4026/13]
View answerIn the period since 1 January 2010 one doctor was appointed to the Defence Forces Medical Corps. There have been no nurses or dentists appointed in this timeframe. A competition for the appointment of doctors to the Defence Forces Medical Corps remains open with applications being accepted on an ongoing basis. As suitably qualified applicants are identified they will be interviewed with regard to their suitability for service in the Defence Forces. There is currently one application being processed.
The terms and conditions governing the appointment of dentists to the Defence Forces Medical Corps are being revised with a view to initiating a recruitment campaign for dentists. As it will take some time before we have achieved the current target of 32 doctors in the Defence Forces, alternative arrangements to address the ongoing shortfall are being developed by the Central Medical Unit of the Medical Corps. Against this background, it has been necessary to identify alternative options for the provision of medical services to the Defence Forces, including the consideration of the outsourcing of some or all Defence Forces domestic medical services. In this regard an integrated model for the provision of the required medical services, involving both the Medical Corps and outsourced service provision, is being progressed.
