Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for including this Topical Issue. Emergency services response times are a constant concern in rural areas and County Cork is one of the areas seriously affected by significant ambulance delays. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and other staff, over a third of calls had response times in excess of an hour in the first half of 2021. The distances involved have been cited by the National Ambulance Service as one of the reasons for delays. This is a massive source of worry for rural residents, particularly households on the peninsulas in Cork South-West.

The resourcing of the National Ambulance Service remains a crucial matter, as is the inadequate number of ambulances and paramedics. However, recent changes in Kerry and Donegal are working on allowing fire and rescue personnel to act as first responders in health emergencies. This is a very practical and potentially life-saving measure that should be adopted in all counties as soon as possible. We have excellent fire and rescue services in Cork staffed with personnel trained as first responders. It makes sense they would be deployed in cases where ambulances are delayed or immediate attention is required, such as instances of cardiac arrest.

Towns and villages in Cork South-West, including Schull, Castletownbere, Bantry and Dunmanway have fire stations with staff who, by the nature of the work, are in the area and available to respond. This matter has been brought to my attention by such staff, who are eager to assist those in need in their locality. They are motivated to save lives and the Government should respond accordingly. I am seeking that the Government pursues this as a national policy. I appreciate it is a complicated matter across Departments, local authorities and public and voluntary bodies. However, given the potential benefit of this policy, it should be rolled out in every county. Furthermore, it is a common-sense approach that effectively uses resources that are already available.

This move would not only potentially save lives but it would also provide comfort to the people of west Cork and other rural areas. It is not about replacing the ambulance service but rather supplementing it with trained professionals already in the area. These people may provide backup when it becomes clear an ambulance will be delayed. This is about getting first responders to people in need while an ambulance is on its way.

The Ministers for Health and Housing, Local Government and Heritage should take leadership on this matter. Kerry and Donegal are ahead of the curve on this and have shown it is possible. Similar changes are also being proposed in Northern Ireland after a pilot scheme in 2016. Instead of the National Ambulance Service having to engage with all relevant bodies and local authorities on an individual basis, could the Government not step in here, with the line Ministers providing a forum or mechanism for a co-ordinated approach? In doing so, they could bring all the stakeholders together and make this happen.

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