David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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375. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of implementing the National Ambulance Service’s strategic plan and workforce plan. [30385/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, since the last NAS Strategic Plan, 'Vision 2020', the NAS has been engaged in a continuous process of strategic reform to transform the service from a traditional emergency response and conveyance service to a clinically led and agile mobile medical service. The NAS are also increasing capacity to treat patients at the most appropriate level of clinical need, including in their homes and community settings in line with the overall aims of Sláintecare.

These reform measures include the continued development of alternative care pathways, such as the "Hear and Treat" NEOC Clinical Hub and "See and Treat" Pathfinder and Community Paramedic pathways. Approximately 1,000 patients per week are now being treated through a NAS administered alternative care pathway, of which almost 40% avoid unnecessary conveyance to a hospital ED, leading to a better experience for the patient as well as reducing pressures on acute hospitals.

The NAS is also continuing to address identified front-line capacity requirements. The NAS enrolled 196 Student Paramedics into the NAS college in 2023 and 144 newly qualified Paramedics graduated from the NAS college in 2023. A total of 410 students are currently at various stages of training at the NAS College with further recruitment planned this year following recent recruitment campaigns.

Other NAS strategic initiatives in recent years have included the establishment of the NAS Critical Care Retrieval Service (CCRS), which amalgamated neonatal, pediatric and adult retrieval services and the establishment of the NAS Intermediate Care Service (ICS) to undertake low acuity ambulance transfers to help preserve emergency front-line capacity for more appropriate work. The NAS ICS now carries out on average 80% of all inter-hospital patient transfers.

The total NAS budget this year of over €230 million represents a rise of €63million or 37% from the 2019 allocation, and continuous year-on-year increases in government funding has allowed the NAS to grow its staff to 2,360 full time equivalent employees, of which well over 2,100 staff are deployed in the provision of direct patient care.

A new draft National Ambulance Service Strategic Plan, incorporating a new workforce plan, is being finalised. The new Strategy will build upon the significant achievements already made to date to align the NAS with wider healthcare needs.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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376. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of doubling paramedic training places; the number of places this would create; and the current number of places. [30386/24]

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.