Vol. 395 No. 3
30 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of any welfare services being operated for members of the Defence Services by his Department; if such services include assistance in the area of alcoholic or drug dependency, family problems, psycho-sexual counselling, the problem of stress and related problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
32 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the arrangements made by the Army and the Defence Forces generally for family support.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 32 together.
Family problems are dealt with by the Army Medical Corps, barrack welfare officers or social workers. Psycho-sexual counselling, stress and related problems are dealt with by the officers of the Army Medical Corps. Services in relation to alcoholism are provided by the Army Medical Corps. Rehabilitation programmes are in operation and treatment and follow-up counselling are provided.
In recent years steps have been taken, through the medium of appropriate courses and seminars, to train officers in various aspects of welfare in order to cope with problems as they arise.
A military board has been set up to examine the existing welfare and family support arrangements.
