Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept the points the Deputy has made on the need for widespread coverage of the National Ambulance Service. Other Deputies have raised this in the House. The facts of the matter are, as the Deputy has said, overall investment is now €200 million. This is up from €170 million in 2019. Approximately 2,000 people are employed in the National Ambulance Service, which is up 16% in the past five years. That said, issues have been raised with regard to geographic cover. HIQA and others have analysed this. People like the model we have. Experts believe the model we have gives the optimal outcomes. That said, the feedback from the regions is that there are many challenges with the model in terms of wait times, particularly in less acute cases and other cases people have raised in the House. There is a need to review this and we will engage with the Minister.

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