Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note the Minister is not in a position to provide specific details on the mid-west. I can help in that regard. In Clare alone, there is a shortage of approximately 20 staff and some vehicles are quite poor and need replacement. For that reason alone, I ask the Minister to use his influence for the development of the service plan for ambulance provision over the coming months. Will he ensure an additional staffing component of 20 for Clare and provide whatever other resources are needed in the mid-west generally? I call for this on the basis that the public representatives and the people of the region have accepted in principle, and to a large extent in whole, the reconfiguration of services from places like St. John's Hospital in Limerick, Ennis Hospital and Nenagh Hospital to the acute facility in Limerick.

This was a hard-won battle. It took a lot to convince people it was in their best interests and in the best interests of patient safety and outcomes. However, contingent on that acceptance was the expectation there would be a fit-for-purpose and fully staffed ambulance service fully provided for with appropriate ambulances. This has not happened to date. I appeal to the Minister in a non-partisan way to ensure the regions that have accepted the principle of reconfiguration get the appropriate investment in their ambulance service.

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