Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Health if the key performance indicators for emergency response times for the national ambulance service which the Health Information and Quality Authority published in November 2010 have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12908/12]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Health if a new intermediate care service comprising of a new type of ambulance known as an intermediate care vehicle to be crewed by a new grade of intermediate care operative to respond to lower acuity calls and with a primary role of patient transfers to take pressure off the emergency medical services has been introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12909/12]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Health if he approved 40 new posts at the new grade of intermediate care operative, ICO; if the Health Service Executive purchased over 20 of the new intermediate care vehicles; the total cost of these vehicles; if they are now in operation; if the Health Service Executive advertised these positions and formed a panel to fill the 40 ICO positions; the current status of that panel; if the 40 positions have been filled; if the national ambulance service is now able to meet the target times set out by the Health Information and Quality Authority to prevent unnecessary deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12910/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 to 219, inclusive, together.

The HSE's National Ambulance Service (NAS) publishes key performance indicators for emergency response times, in accordance with the target requirements for category one emergency ambulance calls as set out by the Health Information and Quality Authority. The NAS began collecting the data in line with HIQA requirements in January 2011 and publishing this data in July of 2011. This information is published each month and can be accessed directly from the HSE website.

With regard to an intermediate care service, the NAS has developed a new model of service, in order to end the current practice of using emergency ambulances for inter-hospital transfers. This model has been developed following engagement with the HSE Clinical Care Programmes and individual hospitals. The foreseeable requirements for an intermediate care service have been based on the needs of hospitals, taking into account the impact of the HSE's Clinical Care Programmes and the Government's Employment Control Framework. Despite these challenges, the NAS has, over the past year, successfully put in place an intermediate care service in areas such as Limerick, Castleblayney and Galway and has developed plans to put a long term service in place in Mallow, Roscommon and Bantry. Regarding the Deputy's query on the number of posts, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.