A Working Group on Medical Care was established in 2021 to bring forward proposals and identify an approach to implementing the Programme for Government commitment to "ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to healthcare as officers currently do". Its work included analysing the range and cost of treatments currently provided to Officers and how best to provide this access to enlisted personnel.
The Working Group reported during 2022 and estimated that the overall cost of extending the service previously provided to Commissioned Officers only would be approximately €10.6m per annum, inclusive of all Defence Forces ranks. This estimate included ancillary staff costs associated with the implementation of necessary structural and administrative changes in the Central Medical Unit. The matter was subsequently progressed as one of the early actions in the High Level Action Plan of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
I am advised by the military authorities that significant progress has been made in delivering this commitment following the receipt of formal sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in May 2023. A Working Group to oversee implementation was convened by Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) on 22nd May 2023, and has worked since that date in accordance with the Terms of Reference in expanding the referral and sanction system for medical care, with progress reports submitted to Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) on a regular basis. Based on current progress and without any unforeseen difficulties, I am advised that it is anticipated that access will be initially available to personnel from 1st September 2023.
It is not currently anticipated that additional medical personnel, over and above the current establishment of Medical Officers identified in DFR CS4 and the provision of existing contracts for civilian GPs, will be required. A requirement for additional civilian medical account clerks in order to administer the service has been identified and they are in the process of being provided.
The Defence budget allocation is determined within an overarching budgetary framework, having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements. It is within this context that the annual Defence budget for 2024 will be determined, with the 2024 process set to commence shortly. Additional funding was provided in the 2023 Estimates to facilitate the implementation of a number of key recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, including the extension of private medical care to all ranks.
