Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this question on the planned new ambulance base for Gorey. Since 2016, the National Ambulance Service, including the south-east region, has undergone significant reform and modernisation, involving the prioritisation of investment in new service developments, including increased workforce, fleet and improved technology. NAS staffing resources nationally have increased from 1,694 as at December 2015 to 2,279 at the end of October this year. That is an increase of 585 whole-time equivalents and represented a growth in the NAS staff complement of over a third.

In Wexford, the NAS has increased its total whole-time equivalent staff complement by approximately 25% since January 2021. I have the breakdown of the figures for the Senator and I can pass them on. This includes the total number of paramedics serving in the region rising from 20 whole-time equivalents in January 2021 to 33 whole-time equivalents currently. This year the NAS had an unprecedented budget allocation of €214.94 million. This enabled continuing investment in increasing front-line emergency capacity and to expand the NAS suite alternative care pathways, including the NAS hear and treat service in the National Emergency Operations Centre, which advises lower acuity patients of appropriate alternatives to hospital transfer, where clinically appropriate.

The National Ambulance Service serves the Wexford area out of four ambulance bases located in Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and Wexford. NAS implementation of the dynamic deployment model of emergency response allows for further support from bases outside of the county, particularly from the NAS bases located in neighbouring counties, Wicklow and Waterford. The Gorey ambulance base capital project is included in the capital plan for 2023. The project is currently at design feasibility, with the HSE looking to identify the preferred site. The Department of Health is working in conjunction with the HSE to develop the capital plan 2024. Once finalised, the capital plan will be submitted for the approval by the Minister for Health, prior to publication in line with established procedures.

The development of new or refurbished healthcare facilities anywhere in the country cannot be seen in isolation or separate from the delivery of related healthcare services. Projects are approved by the hospital group and then approved by the relevant HSE directorate, before being submitted to the HSE national capital and property steering committee, NCPSC. Once approved by the NCPSC, the project is eligible for prioritisation and inclusion in the capital plan, subject to the level of funding.

As the Senator may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa trade union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October.As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the information provided in this response is the

most up to date we can provide at this time.