Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

A review of ambulance service provision in Dublin city and county, which was commissioned and jointly chaired by Dublin City Council and the Health Service Executive, was completed in February 2007. The review was not formally progressed during 2007 because we were awaiting the receipt of the judgment of the European Court of Justice in a case against Ireland relating to the arrangements for the supply of emergency ambulance services in the Dublin area by Dublin Fire Brigade. The judgment in that case was published on 18 December last. The HSE and Dublin City Council are in a position to formally consider the recommendations arising from the review.

The HSE gives Dublin Fire Brigade funding to provide an emergency ambulance service for Dublin city and county. The HSE has provided over €9 million for this purpose in 2008. Dublin Fire Brigade operates 12 ambulances for emergency services only, from a number of bases in the city and county. The service operates on a 24-hour, 365-day basis. The HSE operates its own fleet from four Dublin city bases — St. James's Hospital, Loughlinstown, Tallaght and Swords. The service may be supplemented by ambulances from the wider Dublin and mid-Leinster area as required.

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