Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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641. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the task force examining the provision of emergency ambulance services in the Dublin region by the Dublin Fire Brigade; if the scope of the task force includes examining communication link-up between Dublin Fire Brigade and the National Ambulance Service in terms of handling incoming calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10052/23]

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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642. To ask the Minister for Health when he plans to submit a business case for an upgraded, centralised phone system for the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10053/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 641 and 642 together.

Ambulance services in Dublin are primarily provided by Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) through an arrangement between Dublin City Council (DCC) and the HSE. The HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) provides emergency ambulance capacity to address service demand for the Dublin area, where required. The HSE's National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) is based in Tallaght, Dublin

A Task and Finish Group has been established to strengthen the service delivery model, centred on patient safety and maintaining a highly professional ambulance service for the citizens of Dublin.

Membership of the Group comprises HSE, Dublin City Council, Dublin Fire Brigade, National Ambulance Service, trade union representative, as well as the Department of Health and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The group held its first meeting on 21 February 2023 and the group is expected to meet again shortly.