Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute briefly to the motion brought before the House in the name of my party's health spokesperson, Deputy Billy Kelleher. It is a timely motion which arises in the context of the recent "Prime Time" programme and on the basis of individual incidents and anecdotal evidence regarding the ambulance service generally throughout the State. The reality is that ambulance response times are unsatisfactory by both national and international standards for a whole range of reasons.

I take this opportunity to express my admiration for the exceptionally well-trained and dedicated staff who man the ambulance service nationwide. The difficulties we are experiencing with the service are a question of resources. The retired national director of the ambulance service said at the end of 2011 that an additional 300 personnel were required as well as an investment of €30 million plus on the capital side to bring the service up to standard and ensure nationwide response time targets were met. That is a very significant investment by any measure in what is a vital element of the health service.

The obvious question that comes to mind in this discussion is whether we can afford to adopt the motto of doing more with less when it comes to the ambulance service. Whatever about other areas of the health service, it seems clear it is not a motto which fits this particular service. We have had two incidents in Drogheda, in very close proximity to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where ambulances were not available to respond to emergency incidents. This happened in Drogheda, where the demographics are relatively good as far as the delivery of an ambulance service is concerned.

In counties such as Roscommon, Donegal and others along the western seaboard, the delivery of ambulance services is a much more challenging prospect in light of the distances which must be travelled. There is a need to address this issue as a matter of urgency.

Statistics for the north-east region show that between 2012 and 2013, the number of rostered paramedic hours at Dunshaughlin ambulance base was cut from 336 to 312 per week. Cover at the bases in Ardee, County Louth, and Virginia, County Cavan, was cut by 24 hours per week during the same period. The Dundalk and Monaghan bases lost 48 hours. Simple arithmetic shows that if this sort of curtailment is imposed on the ambulance service, response times - as has now proven to be the case - will inevitably suffer. If individuals throughout the country unnecessarily lose their lives as a result of the fact that response times are longer than should be the case, this places a serious burden on the health service in general and on the political leadership within it.

I wish to refer to something which, I am sure, is an occupational hazard for members of the ambulance service but which should not be. On 1 April last - Members will note the significance of the date - a bogus call for assistance was made to the ambulance base in Dundalk. The caller apparently indicated that a 14 year old girl was in labour at a location which is not a huge distance from the base. Given that it was an emergency situation, a fully-manned ambulance and rapid responsible vehicle were dispatched to answer the call. I will not repeat what was said to the staff involved when they arrived at the scene. I will state, however, that it was very unsatisfactory. I do not know if this type of behaviour has been replicated elsewhere throughout the country but I have no doubt that action must be taken in respect of it. I understand that the incident in Dundalk has been reported to the Garda Síochána which, I am sure, will take the appropriate action. It is difficult enough to deliver ambulance services within the constraints to which reference has been made. If, however, bogus calls are being made and are placing additional pressure on the service in general, that is extremely unsatisfactory, appalling and should be condemned by all.

I am glad the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is present. She has a social conscience when it comes to most matters and I know she will empathise with the points being made by Members on this side of the House in the context of the delivery of ambulance services. This matter needs to be addressed urgently. Additional resources must be allocated to the national ambulance service because, as already stated, it is not possible to do more with less in the context of the delivery of ambulance services in this country. The resources to which I refer must be provided as soon as possible. The Estimate for the Department of Health is most likely under consideration at present in preparation for the budget that will be introduced later in the year. I ask the Minister of State to examine the position of the ambulance service in the context of that Estimate. My constituents in Louth and east Meath would certainly appreciate an increase in the expenditure relating to the general service.

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