Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

South Tipperary can certainly be looked at in terms of expansion. The National Ambulance Service works from bases in Cashel, Clonmel and Tipperary. The service in south Tipperary has a total allocated workforce of 46 and is recruiting locally for some vacancies. For example, it has been advertising on Spin Southwest and on Beat 102-103. It has had targeted local advertising campaigns through social media.

The Deputy's reference to the 45 km rule is relevant and there is no question that in some parts it could limit the number of people who can apply for these jobs. On the reverse side, it has been very successful in retaining staff. The latest note I have, which we put together when preparing for the Deputy's question this morning, indicates that the National Ambulance Service now has the highest level of retention of any part of the HSE. The service believes the 45 km rule has been an important part of that.

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