Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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394. To ask the Minister for Health to outline his plans to improve the national ambulance service; the terms of reference of the three reviews of Dublin ambulance services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49054/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The National Ambulance Service (NAS) is continuing to modernise and reconfigure its services to ensure that emergency pre-hospital care is delivered in an appropriate and timely manner. A significant reform programme is currently underway which will provide a clinically driven, nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology. Additional funding of €5.4m has been provided in the National Service Plan 2015 to continue service modernisation. The migration to a single national control centre, the implementation of a new call and dispatch system, the commencement of an electronic patient record process and the recruitment of additional staff for the Western region, are all part of the 2015 service plan.

The HIQA review of the NAS has now been published; the national capacity review is close to finalisation and the joint review of Dublin ambulance services is expected to be completed in the New Year. On completion of all three reviews, the findings will be co-ordinated to ensure a comprehensive, coherent response from the ambulance service. In that regard my Department will work with the HSE to ensure the development of an Action Plan, with timelines, to realise a new vision for ambulance services in Ireland.

The HSE has been asked to respond to you directly in relation to the terms of reference for the three reviews. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter.