Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)

I thank the Deputy. In my opening statement I focused on the specific issues she raised concerning the National Ambulance Service station in Drogheda and the status of the rapid response vehicles at the station. I will now speak more generally about the National Ambulance Service's urgent and emergency ambulance performance and reiterate this Government's continued investment in this service. Demand for our urgent and emergency ambulance services rose significantly in 2024 with almost 430,000 calls received from the public. This represents a rise of almost 32,000 calls, or 8%, on 2023. Despite this increase the National Ambulance Service performance improved in 2024 in respect of both "purple" cardiac life-threatening, and "red" all other life-threatening calls when compared to 2023. The Government invested significantly in the National Ambulance Service in 2025 with an allocation of €285 million. Included in this investment is €8 million for new service developments, which will convert to a full-year cost of €16 million in 2026. As I said earlier, new ambulance service development funding in 2025 will deliver 180 additional posts in the National Ambulance Service for the front-line emergency capacity to improve access for patients to alternative care pathways, and to further develop essential specialised services such as the National Ambulance Service critical care retrieval services for critically ill patient transfers and the National Ambulance Service's aero-medical services.

The Deputy raised a couple of issues with regard to looking for a new site for the station. I will raise that with the Minister as well as the other issue of asking her to visit the site. I will convey to her that the Deputy raised it on the floor of the House this morning and would like if these issues could be addressed.

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