Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for my late arrival. I was taking Leaders' Questions in the Chamber. I welcome the representatives of the National Ambulance Service Representative Association. I also welcome the people in the Gallery, particularly the members of the McQuillan family from Drogheda. I sympathise with them on their sad loss.

I would like to ask a few questions about the ambulance service nationally. How does the number of staff in Ireland compare with the number of staff in other jurisdictions? Mr. Dixon might have answered that question before I arrived. He has provided details regarding the number of vehicles. Can he comment on the condition of the vehicles and say whether he believes they are fit for purpose? Are different rostering systems used in different areas? Are additional staff or ambulances needed, depending on the type of terrain being covered? Some ambulance bases are close to motorways or national primary routes, whereas others have to cover rural hilly areas.

I would like the witnesses to comment on how cutbacks have affected ambulance services. My understanding, as a representative of Tipperary South, is that cutbacks are having significant effects. For instance, the three ambulance stations in south Tipperary have to cover Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, New Ross, Waterford and Dungarvan on an ongoing, daily basis. This is not something that happens just once a week. The Dungarvan ambulance might be pulled to cover Youghal, which has lost an ambulance. It is now proposed to reduce ambulance coverage in south Tipperary. This is to be done to give coverage to other areas which have been affected by the cutbacks. Do the witnesses agree that this is the case? Is this happening in other areas throughout the country? It seems to me that the various cuts that have taken place have affected the service to the extent that Peter is being robbed to pay Paul on an ongoing basis. I would like the witnesses to deal with this matter, in particular.