Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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946. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to improve the Health Service Executive ambulance services in terms on equipment, and vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26859/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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A significant reform programme has been underway in recent years in pre-hospital care services across the country for the development of a clinically driven, nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology. The programme involves a number of measures, including the Performance Improvement Action Plan, development of the intermediate care service (ICS), the trial emergency aeromedical service (EAS), and the National Ambulance Service (NAS) Control Centre Reconfiguration Project.

The NAS is taking steps to address challenges nationally, such as reliance on on-call rostering, geography, resourcing and the use of emergency ambulances for routine transport. The move from on-call to on-duty rostering for ambulance services is a key part of improving the service as highly trained paramedic crews are on site in their stations or vehicles to respond immediately to dispatches. The NAS is also developing a non-emergency transport fleet, the national intermediate care service (ICS), for routine clinical transfers of patients, freeing emergency ambulances for emergency responses.

A key priority for the NAS is the upgrading of its fleet and communications systems. The NAS has had a comprehensive capital upgrade programme over the last number of years which includes provision for replacement of existing emergency ambulances, with installation of cameras to ensure safety for staff and patients as a standard.

In relation to the details of the query raised by the Deputy in relation to ambulance equipment and vehicles, as these are operational issues for the HSE I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.