Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I certainly know the ambulance service can take that under advisement and will do everything they can to increase the turnaround times. They have been innovating over the past few years. The clinical hub now has hear and treat and see and treat services they did not have previously. The Deputy will be aware of the pathfinder model, the medical assessment unit pathways, the community paramedic scheme, the ED in the home and various other issues. The ambulance services are to be commended for their innovation. I am not detracting from the fact there are still significant challenges.

On the Deputy's specific question about those joining versus leaving the service, I am very happy to say the ambulance service put in place a human resource plan two years ago in 2022. Their turnover rate is now 1%, which was for quarter 3 of last year versus 2.4% for the HSE. Essentially, twice as many have joined the service as have resigned or retired from the service in previous years. They are clearly doing something right. We in Government and in the Oireachtas need to continue to support them and to continue investing in them. They are showing that it is money very well spent on behalf of patients.

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