Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2013
153. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Defence if he will reverse his decision to close the medical clinic at the Curragh, County Kildare in view of the fact that members of the Defence Forces habitually risk life and injury on behalf of the State at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48697/13]
View answerI have no plans to change the decision to discontinue the services provided at the Curragh Families Clinic. The Families Clinic currently provides free GP and pharmacy services to the families of certain enlisted military personnel who are resident within the Curragh camp and surrounding areas.
Members of the Defence Forces do not attend the Clinic as they have a dedicated and comprehensive medical service provided by the Medical Corps which is available at all times.
As the Curragh Families Clinic is a facility that is neither provided to members of the Defence Forces, nor encompassed by the C & A Schemes for the Defence Forces, its closure is not an issue that comes within the scope of the Haddington Road Agreement.
The service dates back to a time where the provision of medical services for all families of enlisted personnel was included in Defence Forces Regulations. Following the introduction of free public hospital care for all citizens in the 1970’s, the entitlement to medical services for military families was formally removed from Regulations in 1987 and the family section of the Curragh Military Hospital closed at this time. However, the Curragh Families Clinic was retained because of the difficulty in obtaining doctor and pharmacy services in the Curragh area at the time. This is no longer the case.
The service is an anomaly in that it is a benefit which is only available to a relatively small number of families resident within the Curragh Camp and surrounding areas. Similar services are not provided to families of enlisted military personnel at any other location in the State. A further anomaly arises in that new personnel deployed to the Curragh in recent times do not receive the benefit of free family care.
A number of reviews, undertaken in the period since 1990, have recommended that the Clinic be closed. The decision to discontinue the operation of the clinic has been made having regard to those reviews, equity considerations and the cost of the service.
I would like to emphasise that the families affected will have the same rights of access to public health services as other families of enlisted personnel. Also, existing services are being maintained until 31 December 2013 to allow families make arrangements to transfer to local GP’s and apply for medical cards or GP visit cards if required. If any patient requires assistance in finding a new GP or applying for a medical or GP visit card this can be provided by staff in the clinic during the transition period.
