Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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72. To ask the Minister for Health if he has contacted the HSE regarding Parliamentary Questions Nos. 414 of 7 February 2017 and 510 of 11 April 2017 regarding the ambulance service at the Merlin Park site, in view of the fact that the current site is not fit for purpose and has given rise to health and safety concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20730/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Galway City Ambulance Base has been situated on a temporary site on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital since the summer of 2014, to facilitate the construction of a car park on the grounds of the University College Hospital Galway (UCHG). The re-location initially was to be of temporary duration of 6 – 8 months. However, due to other developments at UCHG in the interim, the hospital is no longer in a position to accommodate the return of the Ambulance Base.

While the temporary facility provided for the ambulance base is safe, there is a requirement to upgrade the facility as staff must now utilise this ambulance base for an extended period. Discussions are ongoing between the National Ambulance Service (NAS) management, HSE Estates and NAS staff regarding the temporary accommodation at Merlin Park in relation to refurbishment of the existing accommodation or suitable alternative solutions. Approximately €0.6m capital has been spent to date on the interim facilities at Merlin Park to accommodate the ambulance base.

NAS has been in contact with HSE Estates and hospital management in order to progress the improvements required for the temporary hospital facility as well as the development of a permanent ambulance base on the grounds of Merlin Park. NAS has also engaged with staff on this issue. In relation to the new ambulance base at Merlin Park, approval has been granted to progress the design to tender stage.