Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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117. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in an ambulance arriving to assist at the scene of a critically injured person (details supplied) who later died in Dundalk in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39672/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Firstly I would like to express my sympathy to the family of the person concerned.

I understand from the National Ambulance Service (NAS) that an emergency call was received for the Dundalk area at 3:06 am on Monday 26 October 2015. The call was classed as life-threatening. At the time the call was received, the NAS was dealing with a number of other emergency calls; however, the nearest available emergency resources were immediately dispatched to the incident. A rapid response vehicle, crewed by an advanced paramedic, arrived at the scene at 3:29 a.m. An emergency ambulance arrived at 3:45 a.m.

While the emergency paramedics were en route, the NAS call taker stayed on the telephone line and gave emergency first aid instructions to the caller. On arrival, the paramedics did everything they could to help the patient, including advanced life support interventions and attempted resuscitation. Regrettably the patient passed away.

I am advised that in line with normal procedure following an adverse incident, all matters relating to the response of the NAS in this case are being reviewed. The review will involve every aspect of the response process, from initial receipt of the call and triaging, through to clinical treatment at the scene.

The Deputy can be assured that the Government is committed to the improvement of our ambulance services. A significant reform programme is underway to reconfigure the way pre-hospital care services are managed and delivered. To this end, the NAS received an increase of €5.4m in funding in 2015, to improve technology and clinical audit and address gaps in service. Further additional funding will be provided to the NAS in 2016.