Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I welcome the fire service staff who are present and commend them for their work.

I am grateful to the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister of Health who offers his apologies, to provide an update for the House on the current discussions about ambulance services in Dublin. The HIQA report on ambulance services which was published in December 2014 highlighted significant public safety issues arising from two ambulance services operating in the same domain. The report identified concerns about the existence of two separate control and dispatch processes and also highlighted the need for greater clinical governance of both services. It pointed clearly to the need for enhanced integration of service provision in the greater Dublin area.

The capacity review published last year examined overall ambulance resource levels and distribution against demand and activity. It identified deficits in ambulance capacity, including in the Dublin area. It also identified the requirement for the migration of all call taking and the dispatch of ambulances in Dublin to the National Emergency Operations Centre to ensure a safer and more responsive service. We all agree that we want such a service. Implementation of the recommendations made in the capacity review requires a multi-annual programme of phased investment in ambulance manpower, vehicles and technology. To this end, increased funding has been made available for ambulance services in the HSE national service plan 2017. New resources will go into the services this year.

The Dublin ambulance services review which was jointly commissioned by the HSE and Dublin City Council is focused on identifying a service model for the optimal provision of emergency ambulance services and patient care in the Dublin region, including service quality, patient safety, capacity and value for money. Late last week a copy of the final review, as well as a joint HSE and Dublin City Council implementation plan, was submitted to the Department's Secretary General. The report and implementation plan are under consideration. Departmental officials are engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government on the report and implementation plan, with a view to agreeing a position on the appropriate way forward prior to the submission of the report and a proposed approach to their respective Ministers. With regard to the expert panel referred to by the Senator, my information is that following publication of the HIQA report in 2014, Dublin City Council established a trade union consultative forum to work towards securing agreement on a model of operation to address the recommendations made in the report. The forum established an expert panel which prepared a report that provided an alternative proposal on call taking and dispatch functions. It is understood the expert panel proposed a technical solution to link the Dublin Fire Brigade call centre with the National Emergency Operations Centre. The Department of Health has been advised that the various options for call taking and dispatch were examined by the Health Service Executive and Dublin City Council in the context of preparation of the implementation plan.

I am disappointed at media reports this morning that strike notice has been served on Dublin City Council. The action proposed is not in the best interests of patients who would be better served through engagement to reach agreement on a way forward. I urge everyone involved in the process to do so.