Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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1271. To ask the Minister for Health the number of advanced paramedics on call each day between September 2024 and December 2024, by CHO, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3289/25]

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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1272. To ask the Minister for Health the number of advanced paramedics on call each day between September 2024 and December 2024 in CHO 6, by local health area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3290/25]

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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1273. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the shortage of paramedics and advanced paramedics in the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3291/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1271 to 1273, inclusive, together.

Significant investment in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) has seen total staff numbers rise to 2,415 whole time equivalents as of the end of November 2024. This represents an increase in staff complement of 482 staff or 25% in the last five years. Of this total, well over 2,000 members of staff, including paramedics, work in direct patient care roles.

Following Budget 2025, this year's allocation to the NAS of €285m represents an increase of €54m or 23% on the previous year. This investment includes an additional €8m for new service developments which will deliver up to 180 additional posts to support emergency frontline services, facilitate the expansion of alternative care pathways and support further development of specialist services.

In relation to the Deputy's specific questions on the number of NAS paramedics and advanced paramedics, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond with any pertinent information it may have, as soon as possible.