Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that I have noted his concerns regarding the ambulance service for the 100,000 people living in Kilkenny. Nobody can predict how many emergencies will occur in an area at a particular time. The emergency services must do the best they can in the time permitted and with the number of ambulances provided in Kilkenny. I do not know who decided on the number of ambulances allocated to Kilkenny but I assume it was the National Ambulance Service. I will bring the concerns of the Deputy to the Minister's attention.

More than 90% of non-emergency patients are seen to by intermediate care services during daytime and night time, which frees up ambulances for real emergencies. However, I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister and I will outline, as I have done in the House, the number of ambulances available Monday to Friday and on Saturdays and Sundays. I do not know why there are fewer ambulances available at night time. I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy.

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