Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 662: To ask the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive is responsible for purchasing ambulances for the Dublin Fire Brigade fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3886/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Dublin City Council (DCC) administers Dublin Fire Brigade and ambulances are purchased through the Council's own procurement arrangements. The HSE provides a capital grant to assist with costs of same. In the first half of 2011, discussions between the HSE and DCC, in line with recommendations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General, were focused on establishing a co-operation agreement in relation to the future provision of ambulance services in Dublin. The purpose of this approach was to ensure standardisation of emergency ambulances throughout the State and to achieve better value for money through economies of scale.

In May 2011, these discussions were paused at the request of the DCC due to a number of Public Service Agreement processes, which needed to be completed prior to the conclusion of discussions with the HSE. In this context, the DCC continues to purchase ambulances for Dublin Fire Brigade.