Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

The Government remains committed to investing in and developing the National Ambulance Service, NAS, including in the south east. The allocation in 2025 includes an additional €28 million of new service development funding for up to 180 additional posts. Those posts will focus on strengthening front-line emergency services, expanding alternative care pathways and developing specialist services, including critical care retrieval.

Government investment in NAS has increased by 64% since 2020. The HSE Dublin and South-East region is served by 14 NAS ambulance bases. Two NAS pathfinder teams aimed at older persons operate from Waterford and St. Luke's hospital in Kilkenny. Four NAS community paramedics also operate in the region. The south-east region has benefitted from two additional 24-7 emergency ambulances based in Tipperary and Arklow. Additionally, it is served by the NAS national clinical hub, which offers alternative pathway options for low-acuity patients.

The Deputy will be aware of ongoing NAS capital projects in the region, including new ambulance bases for New Ross and Gorey, which are scheduled to proceed to detailed design phase shortly. In addition, a new ambulance base regional training facility and business support hub project is planned for Carlow town and is proceeding towards detailed design phase.

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