James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 296: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if funding will be provided to ensure that east Clare will have 24 hour ambulance cover; if the embargo on recruitment will be lifted to enable the Health Service Executive employ the personnel for this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30659/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. The 2005 employment ceiling for the health service is 97,550 in whole time equivalent terms. Within this national ceiling, there is no specific cap on the number of ambulance personnel which may be employed. It is a matter for the Health Service Executive, as part of its management of its employment ceiling, to determine the appropriate staffing mix required to deliver their service plan priorities. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.