Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We were told on the "Prime Time" programme by Martin Dunne, the head of the ambulance service, that we are providing an excellent service to everybody in the west. Along with the north east of the country, we have the worst response times. We have the biggest number of dropped shifts, which means a loss of ambulances. Bizarrely, we also have the biggest underspend on overtime. The only places where there are overtime underspends are the west, the north east and the east, based on the first nine months of last year. That does not include the scheduled overtime cuts that are taking place, with no cover for annual or long-term leave. It is all well and good that we have fabulous uniforms but we do not have ambulances or ambulance staff. I could not care less if the ambulance crews come to us with the knees out of their uniforms if we actually have ambulances and ambulance staff. That has to be the priority. I urge the Minister to directly intervene in this regard. I know the Minister has taken a huge interest in it and has demanded that HIQA comes forward with its report. We need ambulances and staff now. I ask the Minister to direct the National Ambulance Service to put ambulances and staff into the three bases referred to, the only three nationally recognised ambulance black spots of Mulranny, Tuam and west Roscommon. We need those additional services now.

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