Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister chose to focus on only one of the points I raised. I again ask for his view on the case made by the National Ambulance Service Representative Association, the members of which are front-line service providers, on the shortage of personnel, infrastructure and funding. In my own region which comprises counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath ambulance service staff are expected to deliver the service with only 12 ambulances functioning and available at any one time. I know from direct personal experience both in December last year and January this year, which I have shared with the Minister, that the current provision is absolutely inadequate. I have appealed to him before and do so again to recognise that my experience is not unique to the region from which I come but is replicated across the State. How can this be acceptable? Will he undertake to deliver a truly State-wide audit of ambulance services with a view to increasing the number of front-line personnel and the level of infrastructure, including the ambulance fleet, in order to bring the service across the country up to a safe and efficient level? When will the reviews under way be concluded and when does the Minister expect to take possession of the relevant reports? In each of the cases he cited, will the report be published?

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