Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Gallagher for his very important Commencement matter. As I pointed out, more than €200 million of an unprecedented level of investment was approved in the past year for the National Ambulance Service. This provided for front-line paramedic capacity building, as I outlined in my opening statement, as well as a provision for 27,000 hours through the private ambulance service in order to meet demand. In the response from the senior Minister, I pointed out the increase in services and there is unprecedented investment. I will pass on to the Minister for Health the concerns of the Senator in respect of the north-east region and how important a timely response from the National Ambulance Service is.