Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In my opening statement, I focused mainly on aeromedical services in Ireland, particularly the helicopter emergency medical resourcing, HEMS, to provide access to emergency patient care for the people of the mid-west region, including west Clare.

In the context of the mid-west region, I am informed that NAS plans to add three additional emergency ambulances to the mid-west region to provide for improved patient access to emergency care. These resources will be located in Ennistymon, Kilrush and Nenagh. Furthermore, an additional intermediate care vehicle and a community paramedic will be deployed to the region for additional, lower acuity patient care, with both services to be based in Ennis. The NAS is also building further capacity in its national operations centre for increased capacity. Finally, a new ambulance base in Rossbrien is expected to be completed at the end of this year, with an investment that is part of an overall €15.8 million for 2026.

Again, this is good news and a lot of great work is being done. More importantly, lives are being saved. I thank the ambulance service and everyone involved in the great work it does. I see it from my door in Sligo, which is near Sligo Airport from where the Coast Guard helicopters also work.