Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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309. To ask the Minister for Health the plans in place to address ambulance delays more broadly; the expected timelines for these changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16120/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, patient demand for NAS services continues to rise significantly across the country. In 2024 there were nearly 430,000 urgent and emergency calls received from the public, representing an 8% increase nationally on the previous year.

Despite this significant increase in demand, ambulance response performance last year improved on the 2023 outturn. In 2024, national performance exceeded the HSE key performance indicator (KPI) target for cardiac related life-threatening calls (74.5% against a 72% national target) and was just under the target for all other life-threatening emergencies (44.4% against a 45% target). These figures represent a clear improvement on 2023 despite the sharp increase in call volume.

Concerning the Deputy's specific enquiry on future service plans and timelines, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond directly with any further pertinent information it may have.