Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1593. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that a recruitment campaign (details supplied) for qualified paramedics who are registered with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council includes competency-based assessments; the reason that applicants to a similar recruitment campaign for intermediate care operatives do not have to undergo competency-based assessments, despite both campaigns requiring candidates to be on the practitioner-level PHECC register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1828/23]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1594. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports of issues with the multiple-choice question stage of a recruitment campaign for qualified paramedics (details supplied); his views on same; the engagements that he has had with the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1830/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1593 and 1594 together.

As these are operational matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1595. To ask the Minister for Health if a recruitment agency (details supplied) has been contracted to supply paramedic cover for the National Ambulance Service; if so, if he will provide details of this arrangement; the number of agency staff employed to date; the number of staff his Department intends to employ through this agency recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1831/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1596. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the registration status of applicants to the National Ambulance Service who fail competency-based questions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1832/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the independent statutory body with responsibility for standards, training and education in pre-hospital emergency care, including the registration of practitioners and fitness to practice.  Accordingly, I have asked the PHECC to respond to the Deputy on this matter with her question enclosed, as soon as possible.