Nuala Fennell
Ceist:47 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of the social worker/counselling services provided countrywide for the families of Defence Force members.
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Counselling Services.
Personnel support services have been established to provide information, support, assistance and counselling for members of the Permanent Defence Force and their families on a wide range of welfare related issues.
A head social worker was appointed in January, 1992 and is assisting in the ongoing development of the service. It is envisaged that a further five social workers, for employment at command level and in the Naval Service, will be recruited in the near future.
Military personnel in each barracks have been appointed and tasked with the development of this service at local level. In-service training for these personnel is being conducted on an ongoing basis.