Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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642. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to improve the national ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41279/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to improving our ambulance service and its performance. The National Ambulance Service (NAS) is modernising and reconfiguring its services, to ensure emergency pre-hospital care is delivered in an appropriate and timely manner. A significant reform programme is underway, which will provide a clinically driven, nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology. In 2014, this is being supported by additional funding of €3.6 million and 43 staff.

There is particular focus, under the Performance Improvement Plan, on areas such as call taking and dispatch, crew mobilisation, emergency department turnaround times and community first responder schemes. Other performance improvement projects include the single national control system, due to be completed in 2015. In addition, there is continuing development of the Intermediate Care Service, for routine and non-emergency transfers, which allows emergency vehicles to focus on responding to emergencies, and staff rostering is moving to on-duty and national systems.

The Deputy will be aware that three separate reviews of ambulance services are underway. HIQA is examining the governance arrangements for pre-hospital emergency services; the HSE and Dublin City Council have commissioned an independent review of Dublin ambulance services, to determine the best model of service for the city; and the UK Association of Ambulance Chief Executives is undertaking a comprehensive capacity review of the NAS.

The three reviews are being conducted to identify the best way to meet the challenges of the future. I am confident that the recommendations will guide us in the provision of a modern, forward looking service, capable of delivering the best possible outcomes for the public.