Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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166. To ask the Minister for Health if ambulances used by private ambulance providers must meet the same standards as those public ambulances run and operated by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31874/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In 2007, the EU published standards for ambulance vehicles. These standards focus on the construction of the vehicle as an ambulance, and minimum equipment requirements are outlined. All ambulances, regardless as to whether they are statutory or private, are required to meet this standard.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Minister for Health if ambulances used by private ambulance providers must have the same number of whole-time equivalents as those public ambulances run and operated by the State; if not, the number of whole time equivalents they operate with; the way in which this compares to a public ambulance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31875/17]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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168. To ask the Minister for Health if ambulances used by private ambulance providers are equipped to the same standard as those public ambulances run and operated by the State; if not, the number of whole-time equivalents they operate with; the way in which this compares to a public ambulance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31876/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) has published the Interfacility Patient Transport Standard which specifies the clinical level required to crew an ambulance relative to the acuity of the patient. In that regard, ambulances must be crewed by a minimum of two persons, one whose primary role is to provide patient care, and the second whose role is combined with patient care and driving. The Standards also require that the necessary equipment and medications are available on the ambulance to enable the practitioner to manage patients within the scope of their practice.

PHECC standards are voluntary to all except the National Ambulance Service. However, to be approved by PHECC to implement clinical practice guidelines, there is a requirement on the ambulance provider to comply with the standards. It is understood that private health insurance companies, and the HSE, only avail of the services of PHECC approved private ambulance companies.