Dáil debates

Wednesday, 11 May 2005

9:00 pm

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Under the Health Act 2004, as the Deputy is frequently reminded, the HSE has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of ambulance services. The HSE's western area provides emergency and patient transport ambulance services to a population of more than 350,000 people. As the Deputy correctly points out, this is a very dispersed area and Mayo is probably the most dispersed county in it. It is certainly the most dispersed constituency in this House.

The Department is advised that the emergency ambulance service is provided from ten stations across the catchment area. There has been a significant expansion of this service in recent years. Ten additional crews have been put in place, the number of 24-hour bases has increased from three to five and the overall hours of operation across all bases have increased significantly. In 2004, six new high-specification ambulances were provided. In addition, two new rapid-response vehicles have been introduced as back-up to the new fleet. Facilities at ambulance stations in Ballina, Boyle, Clifden and Roscommon have also been improved.

The HSE has responsibility for the continuing development of the service. In this regard, it is developing proposals for the establishment of a number of additional stations in the western area, including a station in the Achill-Mulranny area. I understand the Deputy's general practice is located in the Mulranny area rather than the Belmullet area. The provision of additional capital funding for these developments is a matter for the HSE having regard to funding provided under the capital investment framework for 2005-09.

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