Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter. It is, without doubt, a very important issue that has an impact on the lives of many thousands of people, not only in the town of Skibbereen but also in its catchment area. The provision of pre-emergency care is essential to the delivery of an acute hospital service. Communities right across Cork, including Bantry and my home town of Youghal, have been threatened with the removal of vital ambulance cover for more than a year. The communities have cried "Halt".

The Government's plan to reconfigure the ambulance service, coupled with its hospital reconfiguration programme and the recruitment embargo, has the potential to have a devastating effect on health service provision and the lives of many. Before the Minister's plans for ambulance services have even taken effect, we have seen the service in Skibbereen cease. Last Monday, this large population centre was left without an adequate and appropriate ambulance service due to the lack of cover and the HSE's apparent unwillingness to pay overtime.

I stated in the Chamber before that a rapid response vehicle manned by a paramedic is not the same as an ambulance manned by an advanced paramedic. The current approach must end. I would like to know what immediate action will be taken to ensure an adequate and appropriate ambulance service will be provided for the people of Skibbereen and its hinterland. They are just as entitled to cover as anyone else.

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