Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I have loads of statistics here and do you know what I am going to do? I will not read them out. The statistics tell me we are doing well in terms of response times and the likes but I also live in County Wicklow, know County Wexford well and know and hear the challenges people raise in relation to this.

I am told in relation to the question on capacity that the National Ambulance Service continuously reviews capacity requirements and then feeds that back in terms of investment plans. I will ask that the head of the National Ambulance Service and the Minister for Health engage with the Deputy directly on this.

Putting infrastructure in place is important, in terms of where the ambulances are deployed from. We will see a new ambulance base in Gorey. It is expected to progress to detailed design this year. We also have a new ambulance base in New Ross, which involved the purchase of a former fire station. That is investment in two crucial pieces of infrastructure for the ambulance service in County Wexford.

See this speech in context