Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is my second time addressing the Minister of State on this issue so I will just go over why I have called her back for some answers today. Following the health and safety audit of the building in which Carlow ambulance and paramedic services were located, the building was condemned as it was deemed to be not fit for purpose. In light of this, I asked the Minister for Health for an alternative suitable location. As the Minister of State will appreciate, the ambulance and paramedic staff are a vital asset to Carlow and the south east and give great support to the community, particularly in times of illness and tragedy. The ambulance service in Carlow consists of 18 staff - four women and 14 men - and is based in two prefabs with no hot water, a leaking roof and a sewerage problem. The stores are located in a different building and as the Minister of State can imagine, having to cross over to a different building during winter evenings is not ideal and puts staff in a very vulnerable position.

On 20 October 2016, I addressed the health and safety audit carried out on the current building. The reply I received from the Minister of State in the Seanad was that works were planned to rectify the issues relating to the shower and the changing room facilities and that the depot was fully operational. I welcome the fact the depot in Carlow is still operational and I thank the ambulance and paramedic service for that because it is providing a great service. The Minister of State's reply referred to removing the 15-year old portakabin installed as a temporary measure 15 years ago, fixing the sewerage problem and replacing the portakabin with a new one. I told the Minister of State that something more permanent could be made available to the service. The ambulance and paramedic service in Carlow is located on the campus of St. Dympna's Hospital and in the past used the old day hospital in this complex as a temporary measure. Renovating this section of the building would be a far more suitable solution where not only the shower and changing room facilities would be addressed but a kitchen area and lockers could be provided. As the Minister of State is aware, the storage area is in a different building so this would mean a lot. Surely investing money in a new portakabin is not the long-term solution. All things considered, it would be a far wiser and more long-term investment to renovate this old building.

I also contacted the office of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government several times, including on 18 November when I looked for further clarification. Meetings with the paramedics and management have taken place and they have come together to address some of the concerns. My understanding is that the old prefab is now being done up. This is unacceptable. I do not think that in 2016, 18 ambulance drivers and paramedics should be left in a prefab that is 15 years old. When I originally addressed the Minister of State, she mentioned a new prefab but I believe there is no word of it. My understanding is that work is ongoing on the old prefab. The reason I called the Minister of State back to the House today is because I need confirmation about what is happening. I again compliment the paramedic staff because they do trojan work and are located in a building that is unfit for purpose.