Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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7. To ask the Minister for Health his proposals to improve the ambulance service in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20770/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The National Ambulance Service has undergone significant reform and modernisation in recent years and this continues in 2015. Key to the reform is the development of a single national control system and the rationalisation of control centres to one national centre. This project is introducing better technology and improving response times. Developments such as national digital radio, computer aided dispatch, mobile data and electronic patient care reporting, will allow the National Ambulance Service to deploy resources more effectively and efficiently, on a national rather than a small geographic basis.

A landmark was reached in January when the Townsend Street control centre, the National Ambulance Service command and control headquarters, moved seamlessly to the new National Emergency Operations Centre in Tallaght. In April Tullamore control centre and the National Aeromedical Coordination Centre transferred successfully to the National Centre. Wexford, the only remaining regional centre, will transfer later this year. Work is also underway with Dublin Fire Brigade to integrate ambulance call taking and dispatch for the Dublin area and make best use of HSE and Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance resources on a real-time basis.

A €5.4m budget increase in 2015 will help address service gaps, particularly in the west, by reforming rostering and staffing additional stations. Tuam and Mulranny stations have now commenced operations and discussions are underway concerning staffing of a newly refurbished facility at Loughglynn. The number of community first response teams is expanding, with 123 teams now operating. The Emergency Aeromedical Support Service continues to provide rapid access to appropriate treatment for very high acuity patients.

I am confident that all of these measures will further improve our ambulance service in 2015.