Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 May 2022
17. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Defence the measures that have been taken to ensure the health and well-being, particularly mental health, of Irish Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23833/22]
View answerThe health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a high priority for my Department. A wide range of medical services are provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force including an annual medical examination, sick parades, GP services, prescription services, laboratory services, physiotherapy, chiropody, radiology, ophthalmic examinations, in-patient and outpatient public hospital charges and routine dental treatment.
In addition, Commissioned Officers and members of the Army Nursing Service may also avail of private consultant appointments and diagnostic tests, and private/semi-private hospital treatment dependent on rank. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to "ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do". A Working Group has been established with a view to bringing forward proposals on this matter.
In the case of Defence Forces personnel assigned to longer term overseas administrative posts, these personnel, and any accompanying dependents are provided with global comprehensive medical insurance for which a formal arrangement is in place with a health insurance provider. This involves the organisation paying the difference between a basic minimum payment and the cost of the global plan.
The provision of this range of benefits is unique in the public and indeed the private sectors, and they are exempt from benefit-in-kind taxation.
A range of medical and non-medical mental health supports are also provided to Defence Forces personnel. This includes in-house access to clinical psychology and psychiatry services, provided by two full-time clinical psychologists and one full-time consultant psychiatrist.
In addition, the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service provides a welfare, information, psycho-social support and referral service, that is professional, responsive and confidential, to serving members of the Defence Forces and their families.
The Mental Health and Well-being Strategy for the Defence Forces, which was launched by me in December 2020, recognises the unique nature of the experience of military life in Ireland. The aim of the strategy is to provide a coordinated and effective mental health and support system for the personnel of the Defence Forces through the adoption of a series of measures between 2020 and 2023.
As additional support, the Department of Defence has arranged the provision of a confidential counselling, referral and support service, on a wide range of personal and work related issues, for serving members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Civil Defence members. A Freephone confidential helpline is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year and is staffed by fully-trained and experienced counsellors.
The Chaplaincy Service also provides confidential, comprehensive pastoral support and spiritual care to personnel at home and overseas.
While I am satisfied that the measures taken to ensure the health and well-being of Defence Forces personnel are comprehensive, I can assure the Deputy that they are kept under constant review.
