Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the additional work and effort he has put into coming up with some information on that. Fundamentally, Arklow and Baltinglass do not have full cover at the moment. They are now relying on ambulance cover from other parts of the county, and indeed other parts of the country. This has been in place since 2010, which was a very different environment economically. There was obviously a need to make cuts. However, we are no longer in that economic situation, and it is inconceivable that we have two large towns in our county which are relying on ambulance services from other parts of the country to provide a service. That gap has been in place for those two towns for 13 years, and it is time the HSE and the Minister put enough staff and resources into those stations so that they can provide a full coverage to their districts.

Other stations which were also cut in 2010 have had their service fully restored. They have had the additional investment in their staff and stations, and I would ask that the Minister for Health does the same for Arklow and Baltinglass to make sure they can operate on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that they are fully functional and independent insofar as is possible.

I agree with the Minister of State's sentiments with regard to our ambulance service. It does an incredible job. However, I have some ambulance personnel in my own family, and I know from talking to them that they are incredibly stressed, under-resourced and working 12-hour shifts which can extend to 14- or 16-hour shifts. This investment is critical not just for the patients of Wicklow to make sure they get appropriate and quick healthcare but also for the ambulance staff who are under increasing pressure and stress.

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