Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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116. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to improve ambulance response times for rural areas such as County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12063/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has been undertaking a significant and ongoing reform programme, to reconfigure the management and delivery of pre-hospital care services. This programme will ensure a clinically driven, nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology.

The Capacity Review, published last year, makes it clear that a very significant programme of investment in our ambulance services is needed. In that context, a phased investment in a multi annual programme involving manpower, vehicles and technology is required. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to additional annual investment in terms of ambulance personnel and vehicles. In that regard an additional €3.6m has been made available to the NAS in 2017, which includes €1m to fund new developments.

The review identifies particular difficulties serving rural areas on the basis that population density in Ireland is significantly different to that of many other countries. The only practical way to provide an initial response within the 8 minute window in rural areas is through voluntary Community First Responders i.e. members of the community, equipped with a defibrillator and supported by the ambulance service. Where such schemes exist, they can provide a high level of initial response to their local community.

In relation to your specific query in relation to the ambulance services in Donegal, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.