Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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22. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether the ambulance service has the necessary resources for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6932/14]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the concerns that have been expressed regarding the ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6925/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 53 together.

I am aware that concerns have been raised recently concerning ambulance service response times. In the circumstances, I have asked HIQA to bring forward its planned review of pre-hospital emergency care, which had been due to commence in Q2 2014.  The Authority will review the governance arrangements of pre-hospital emergency care services to ensure the timely assessment, diagnosis, initial management and transport of an acutely ill patient to an appropriate healthcare facility. Planning for the review has now commenced and HIQA is currently in the process of designing an Assessment Framework against the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.

I should also explain that the National Ambulance Service will undertake its own capacity review, to determine current and future service delivery needs. This process will examine a number of areas, including staff numbers and skill mix, as well as resource distribution.