Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are almost at the end of the session and I am happy to help the Deputy. I thank her for raising the issue of the provision of an ambulance base in Carlow town and for allowing me to outline what has been done to help people experiencing delays. A significant programme of work is under way to transform the national ambulance service from an emergency medical service to a highly adaptable and responsive mobile medical service that is well positioned to treat patients at the lowest appropriate level of acuity, resulting in a better experience for the patient and the more efficient use of resources. A programme of reform and modernisation has been under way within the service, which includes increasing the fleet and technological improvements.

The Deputy asked for updates and timescales. I will try to get those from the Department. As she knows, Carlow ambulance base is an integral part of the ambulance service, with a replacement ambulance base included in the capital plan for 2022. That is good news.

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