Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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182. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there are still only two ambulance controls in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11066/19]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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183. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to expand the number of ambulance controls in Dublin city. [11067/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.

I have no plans to expand the number of ambulance control centres in Dublin.

Currently, we have two separate ambulance control centres in Dublin; the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) control room in Townsend Street and the HSE National Emergency Operations Centre in Tallaght. Our current call taking arrangements represents an unacceptably high patient safety risk and can give rise to delays in the allocation of ambulance resources to patients, including in potentially life-threatening situations.

Since the 1990s several reports have raised concerns about the existence of two separate ambulance call and dispatch centres in Dublin. In line with recommendations set out in these reports, Dublin City Council and the HSE have proposed the transfer of all DFB ambulance call taking and dispatch functions to the National Emergency Operations Centre, such that all such services across the state are consolidated in one centre. This issue is currently the subject of a mediation process between Dublin City Council and DFB staff associations.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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184. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on private ambulances at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore from 1 January to 31 December 2018. [11068/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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185. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on private ambulances at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise from 1 January to 31 December 2018. [11069/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.