Mr. Ted Kenny:

There are two parts to the question.

The first has to do with the capacity review and what can be done to improve the current situation for paramedics. There must be a commitment by the Government that it will fully resource whatever the review's recommendation on numbers is. If we want to grow the NAS by doubling its staff over the next three to five years, funding must be made available not only for staffing, but also fleet resources.

The retention of staff is under consideration. It is a major issue. We have people coming into the organisation - Mr. McEvoy can comment on the DFB - who are not staying within the NAS. They are moving on, either into the wider HSE or to other jurisdictions.

Regarding burnout supports, there are in place employee assistance programmes which staff can attend. There are also occupational health services which they can seek. The mental health issue should be explored more and more resources should be put in place. Many paramedics whom I meet outside the job tell me about the horrifying calls they have attended and how, after returning to base, no member of management approached them to see how those calls went. Even though management and the call centres were aware of the calls, there was no follow-up with the paramedics, advanced paramedics and other ambulance personnel. This issue has to be examined.