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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 4

Priority Questions. - Personal Injury Claims.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

30 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of claims for post-traumatic stress which his Department has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30856/01]

The position is that a total of 37 personal injury claims primarily alleging post-traumatic stress disorder have been received in my Department. The Defence Forces have for some time operated a stress management and PTSD programme, the purpose of which is to educate personnel in stress recognition and enable the provision of support in order that the consequences of traumatic and stressful situations can be dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner. This programme is implemented through the Defence Forces psychologist, the personnel support service and the chaplaincy service.

Support and counselling systems are in place for those who are exposed to stress which may result in PTSD. Such counselling is believed to reduce the numbers who develop PTSD after an incident. Also for those who develop PTSD, counselling and psychiatric services are offered, either within the Army or, where this is not practicable, patients are referred to the appropriate civilian treatment centre.

It is important to emphasise that the existence of PTSD in itself does not imply negligence, either of a medical or organisational nature. It is an integral part of a soldier's job to be exposed sometimes to stressful situations. As outlined above, coping techniques in line with best prac tice internationally are in place and have been for some time.

The Minister stated there have been 37 claims to date. I would appreciate a breakdown of those claims. Are they from serving or retired personnel? Have they been received in recent times? Has a trend been detected? How many psychologists does the Army have? Do we have a scheme in place by which professionals visit personnel on overseas duty to discuss matters such as the dangers of overseas missions?

There are 37 cases in all. I do not have the figure for claims made by retired and serving members of the Defence Forces. As far as I am aware, four claims have been made during 2001 to date. Post-traumatic stress disorder was first recognised in America in 1980 and not discovered to any great extent in Europe until the mid-1990s. From that time on, the psychological, chaplaincy and counselling services have been very considerably upgraded in order that stressful situations which soldiers encounter from time to time can be dealt with in a way which does not lead to the disorder. Where it does occur, there are very good services available.

It would not be possible to have psychological services everywhere the Army serves, but we do our best to recruit specialists in those fields. I do not have the exact figures, but will get them for the Deputy.

Will the Minister indicate how many of the 37 claims have been processed and in how many there was a settlement?

One case has been settled in court, one out of court and one withdrawn. There are, I believe, eight other cases where post-traumatic stress disorder was an ancillary injury to the claim, six of which have been settled. The bulk of the cases have still to be dealt with.

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