Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government contains a commitment to building the capacity for our emergency and acute services, but we have a significant issue in Cavan and Monaghan relating to the staffing of our ambulance service. I have raised the issue with the Taoiseach in the Chamber on a number of occasions because lives in the constituency are at risk. Many months ago, there was an announcement that six new staff were coming to the ambulance service, especially for Monaghan and Castleblayney. New rosters were drawn up and the current staff are now operating with the new rosters but without the six new staff. They are under extreme pressure and at times there is one member of staff who is operating the service and expected to respond to an emergency call. These staff will be protesting outside Leinster House tomorrow to make their views known. I encourage the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health to be there to listen to them. The six staff that were promised have never materialised. Will the Taoiseach ensure that they do and that these staff are not still under the pressure that they are currently?

See this speech in context