Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the ambulance control centre for Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, which is currently located in Castlebar, is being transferred to Ballyshannon. [45698/10]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if consultation has taken place with staff in the ambulance control centre for Galway, Mayo and Roscommon in Castlebar about the possibility of the ambulance control centre being transferred to Ballyshannon. [45721/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 94 together.

The establishment within the HSE of a National Ambulance Service has enabled a major programme of reform and improvement to be commenced. This aims to maximise operational efficiency and provide a more responsive and appropriate emergency ambulance service. The HSE, with the support of the Department of Health and Children and the Health Information and Quality Authority, has determined that the needs of the Irish health service can best be met by the establishment of two ambulance control centres for the country. While the needs of the service could be met by a single centre, it is considered more appropriate to have a second centre in order to ensure that a back-up capability will always be available.

One of these centres will be located in the east of the country, with the second in Ballyshannon, County Donegal. The project to establish a single control centre model has significantly advanced with the recent closure of Naas Control Centre and transfer of its functions into Dublin. A phased process of further change is planned during 2011 and this includes the control functions currently located in Castlebar being relocated to Ballyshannon in the first quarter of the New Year. The HSE is engaged with staff representative bodies in relation to the planned changes.

I am satisfied that these changes will enable the most appropriate ambulance resources to be despatched as expeditiously and efficiently as possible in the interests of provided a safe and high-quality service to the public.