Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 158: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, following on from a recent parliamentary question, she will indicate the person who is undertaking the work to examine the potential for improved efficiency in the delivery of emergency ambulance services; if it is the case that responsibility for patient care in the ambulance environment has been shifted from her Department to county councils; if so, the reason for same; and the reasons recommendations made by ambulance service reviews dating back to 1998 have not been implemented. [42986/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Health Act 1970, statutory responsibility for the provision of public ambulance services rests with the Health Service Executive. As permitted under the relevant legislation, the HSE (and, prior to 2005, its predecessor bodies) has arranged with Dublin City Council for the provision by that body of emergency ambulance services in Dublin. This arrangement applies only in Dublin. Elsewhere in the country these services are provided directly by the HSE.

As I indicated in my reply to question No. 311 of 11 November 2008, discussions involving the health and local government sectors are under way with a view to identifying the best long-term approach to the delivery of emergency ambulance services in Dublin. I recently met with senior officials of Dublin City Council and the HSE in relation to this matter. My primary concern is to ensure that persons in need of emergency ambulance care in Dublin can be assured of the safest possible service. The potential for improved efficiency in service delivery and the attainment of value for money also require to be examined. Consideration of these issues will as necessary take into account the findings of previous reviews of ambulance services and, where appropriate, relevant evidence on the issues.