All members of the Defence Forces will be given access to private healthcare, Tanaiste Micheal Martin confirmed on Tuesday.
The Fianna Fail leader, who is also the Defence Minister, announced the move during a speech at PDFORRA annual delegate conference and said resources had been allocated to fund it.
Martin also said members would be able to get referrals to private consultants and hospitals but stressed work still needed to be done to fully implement the plan.
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Speaking in Trim, he said: “I know that the current two-tier system of provision of secondary medical care to members has been a particular frustration, so I am very pleased this afternoon to confirm that I have secured an Agreement with my Government colleagues to enable all members of the Defence Forces to benefit from the same access to private healthcare as officers.
“There remains some work to be done by officials on implementation of the decision, but the decision has been made and resources allocated.
“This will be of immense benefit to the ranks represented by you in PDFORRA, who will be able to avail of referrals to private consultants and hospitals, facilitating faster access to treatment and recovery.”
The Cork deputy also revealed a scheme that would allow sergeants who are due to retire to extend their service until the end of 2024 will now also be open to the rank of Private and Corporal.
He confirmed the controversies surrounding the mandatory retirement ages were being considered by an interdepartmental working group.
Martin stressed that it was a “priority” for him and he will continue to talk to Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe about it.
Meanwhile, PDFORRA President Mark Keane said the Defence Forces is “witnessing the greatest exodus ever" at present.
But stressed despite the low numbers members continued to provide an “excellent service”.
He said: “Currently we are witnessing the greatest exodus ever from the Defence Forces, everyone in this room knows that we are well below the agreed strength of 9,500 with the current strength hovering around 7,500.
“We are 2,000 personnel short, just consider that number, two thousand.”
He accepted that “inroads have been made” with regard to pay but stressed this wasn’t stemming the problem.
Mr Keane added: “It’s fair to say, and indeed it’s been proved at this point, that we are not going to recruit our way out of a crisis with just 60 new recruits under training at the new Joint Instructor Training Centre in Gormanston in Co Meath.
“We have been reasonable and responsible in calling for measures to be enacted to address this ongoing crisis as far back as 2017.”
He continued: “Despite the depleted numbers our members continue to provide excellent service to the Defence Forces and to the State both at home and abroad in the service of peace.”
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