Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate that an additional €7.2 million - this is an increase on outturn - is being provided in the budget for the ambulance services in 2016.

That includes €2 million to recruit and train extra staff and also to expand the community first responder scheme. The National Ambulance Service has recently completed a national recruitment campaign and is commencing an international recruitment campaign for qualified paramedics. The number of paramedics in training more than trebled in 2015 and the additional funding provided in 2016 should provide for further increases. It is important to note the latter on the Dáil record. Last year, 63 ambulances were replaced or refurbished and one new rapid response vehicle was provided at a cost of over €9 million. The investment in this regard will be doubled to €18 million in the current year.

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