Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Defence the number and location of ambulances on permanent standby in the Defence Forces; if same are available as back-up for the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17118/06]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 464: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the military ambulance service on the Curragh Camp acts in support of the Health Service Executive ambulance service; the extent of investment by his Department in the provision of ambulances at the Curragh or elsewhere; if speed restrictors have been fitted to new ambulances acquired by his Department; the reason such restrictors might be fitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17265/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 464 together.

Responsibility for the provision of a public Ambulance service in this country is a matter for the Health Services Executive (HSE). The Defence Forces maintain a small ambulance fleet to meet their own needs. These ambulances are primarily used to transfer Defence Forces patients to and between hospitals and to attend Risk Training Exercises. Risk Training exercises would include operational exercises, Artillery shoots, Infantry Support Weapons shoots and Live Battle practices. In late 2005/early 2006 there was an investment of €850,000 on 6 road ambulances by the Defence Forces to replace an aging fleet.

There are a total of 17 Defence Forces ambulances in service at present 15 of which are deployed across the country in the various brigades and 2 of which are overseas, one in Kosovo and one in Liberia. One of these vehicles is located at the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh Camp.

The maximum speed permitted in the 6 new Army Ambulances is 90 KPH. The vehicle is governed by the manufacturers (Ford Motor Company) to prevent exceeding this limit. In order to implement this restriction a speed limiter, also known as a governor, may be fitted to the vehicle. There is a legal requirement that such governors are fitted, on import, as the vehicles exceed 3,500 kg. The Defence Forces decided when these ambulances were delivered in late 2005 not to interfere with the governor. The vehicle is designed for a gross vehicle weight of 4200 kg and taking into consideration the routine use of such vehicles for military purposes it was felt that 90 KPH was adequate. Such governors are not on the older ambulances since they are lighter in weight and only require a Class A driving licence. The new ambulances are much heavier in weight and require a Truck Drivers Licence.

While these ambulances are for Defence Forces needs and are configured accordingly, arrangements exist between the HSE and the military authorities in three locations nationwide whereby the HSE receives very occasional support from the Defence Forces ambulance units. These areas are Finner Camp, Co. Donegal, the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Curragh, Co. Kildare and Custume Military Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Ambulances from these locations are used on a very occasional basis to meet additional demands on HSE services. The Defence Forces ambulance crews are under the direct control of the HSE ambulance service during their deployment in support of the HSE ambulance service.

The National Ambulance Office of the HSE has advised my Department that the fitting of the governor on Defence Forces ambulances is not a major issue for them. Their priority is the standard of the equipment on the ambulances and the qualifications of the Defence Forces ambulance personnel. In this regard ambulances which the Defence Forces offer for assistance to the HSE are equipped to the standard set by the HSE and have Defence Forces ambulance personnel on board who are qualified to Emergency Medical Technician standard.