Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Question No. 484 of 20 September 2011, if he will furnish an accurate table clearly indicating the location of advanced paramedics; if he is satisfied with the fact that the west has the lowest level of APs to qualify in the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29002/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The number of advanced paramedics (APs) who have completed their training and the numbers due to qualify in January 2012 and July 2012 are as outlined to the Deputy in reply to his previous Parliamentary Question.

Candidates entering the advanced paramedic programme agree to work anywhere within an operational area. In order to ensure maximum flexibility in their deployment, on successful completion of the two year course candidates are not permanently assigned to specific ambulance stations, but are assigned to wherever they are required at a particular time. The average cost of training an AP is €127,000 and the skill level that they attain makes them extremely valuable resources in pre-hospital emergency care. Accordingly, it is essential to have the most flexible use possible through dynamic deployment, to ensure maximum availability to patients. Roscommon is a prime example, with a number of APs have been deployed to the greater area to operate a Rapid Response Vehicle twenty four hours a day.

Given the investment involved, it is essential that suitable candidates are nominated for what is a very onerous course, hence the need for a robust selection process. The National Ambulance Service assures me that it makes every effort to distribute course places across the country based on service needs and available candidates. However, there is more interest among staff in some areas of the country than in others to compete for a place in the national selection process. In September 2011, for the first time in a number of years the National Ambulance Service was able to fill all 44 available places on the two courses per year.