Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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86. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on developments with the ambulance service in the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64352/25]

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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It would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to mention that people from north Wexford have experienced a number of serious medical emergencies abroad. I thank the Minister and her staff for their prompt response and service in these sensitive matters for the families concerned. The responses by the Departments of Health and Foreign Affairs and Trade and the HSE have been really appreciated by the families. One case is still ongoing and I am working closely with the family on it. I must mention one of the Minister's staff, Bríd, who has been more than helpful.

My question asks for an update on developments with the ambulance service in the south east.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the strong investment. The Gorey and Arklow area is one of the fastest-growing areas in Ireland. When we add in the coastal area between Castletown and Cahore, there are an extra 40,000 people every summer. The capacity really is stretched. I ask for continued investment in specialised advanced paramedics and community paramedics, who provide a vital service in communities. Second, what is the status of the promised national ambulance training college in the area? The model in Limerick was rolled out very successfully. I understand we are looking at the nursing residential triage tool that allows patients in nursing homes to be treated in situ.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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We continue to invest at pace. There are an additional 500 NAS staff since 2020, with the total going from approximately 2,000 to 2,500, which is a very considerable increase of 26%. That increase is needed to ensure the distribution of staff and the different ways in which they can try to keep people close to home, particularly older people whom we do not want having to present at acute hospitals. The south-east region currently has 14 ambulance bases, with 277 whole-time equivalent staff, including paramedics, advanced paramedics and advanced emergency medical technicians. We have new development funding in 2025 for two additional 24-7 ambulances. There is the new rapid response vehicle operating from Newcastle, County Wicklow. The south-east region is served also by 50 active community first responder groups, which play an enormous role. Further aeromedical support is provided to the region by the NAS helicopter emergency service and the Irish Coast Guard. These are the different ways in which we are trying to provide support and divert lower-acuity patients.

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Minister to give a further commitment of funding for non-emergency patient services. In my constituency, Arklow Cancer Support is an example of a charity doing incredible work providing a wonderful transport service for vulnerable cancer patients to and from appointments. It operates on a shoestring and spends a huge amount of time and effort on fund-raising. All the measures we have discussed will put less pressure on Wexford hospital, which provides an excellent service in the south east but is stretched. Although this issue is under the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, I must point out that the lack of acute mental health services is a real issue in the south east.

The measures I outlined will put less pressure on Wexford hospital.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I recognise the work done by volunteer groups like Arklow Cancer Support and the support they give to cancer patients travelling for blood tests, infusion services and so on. The HSE is not a land development or transport company. I recognise there are many different groups providing an enormous service to cancer patients, some with some measure of State support and others not. While the HSE will never be a transport company, I have met Volunteer Ireland to ask it to compile a list of all the different volunteer groups who provide transport services for health patients, cancer patients or in the disability space - many overlap and intercept. When I have that complete list, I will sit with the Minister for rural affairs, Deputy Calleary, and in particular the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, who sits both in the Department of rural affairs and the Department of Transport. There is something we have not yet imagined in terms of rural support services and transport services. It is not the responsibility of the HSE. It should not really be. We cannot do high-quality cancer care and transport. That is not the role but there is something better, more imaginative and more co-ordinated that can be done. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss it today.