Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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306. To ask the Minister for Health whether a decision has been taken to discontinue the long-standing practice whereby newly qualified paramedics employed by the National Ambulance Service on specified purpose contracts automatically transitioned to permanent contracts upon completion of training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17698/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The National Ambulance Service (NAS) is committed to continued expansion of its frontline workforce in 2026 through a series of planned new developments, and graduates completing the Paramedic programme this year will all be eligible to apply for permanent roles.

Each year, the NAS undertakes a competitive recruitment process to select a cohort of Student Paramedics to complete the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Paramedic Studies and progress to registration with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). The 2025 campaign generated significant interest, attracting more than 1,000 applications. This structured education and training pathway provides the HSE with a sustainable pipeline of newly qualified and registered Paramedics.

Graduates play a vital role in maintaining workforce capacity by filling vacancies arising from retirements and promotions, as well as supporting the creation of new posts linked to new service development under the National Service Plan. It is essential that NAS can prioritise the placement of these graduates to fill vacant or new development roles in areas prioritised for expansion, based on service activity and with the greatest operational need.

The HSE met with trade unions on the 6th of February to advise them of the challenges they face in progressing Year 3 Paramedics to permanent posts under the current processes. During this engagement, NAS outlined three specific elements of the existing process that require amendment to ensure that vacant, funded positions can be filled in a timelier manner. These changes are necessary to enable the successful Year 3 cohort to apply for available funded positions as they arise.

To ensure continuity of service delivery during this recruitment process, temporary contract extensions have been put in place for current graduates. All access to permanent employment within NAS is governed by the HSE’s employment and expenditure controls applicable in any given year.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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307. To ask the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified paramedics in 2026 have been informed that they must now apply through an internal recruitment competition in order to secure permanent positions within the NAS, by region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17701/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a recruitment matter we have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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308. To ask the Minister for Health the current number of vacant paramedic posts within the NAS, including a breakdown by county; and how requiring newly qualified paramedics to compete for permanent posts aligns with workforce planning needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17702/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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309. To ask the Minister for Health whether consultation took place with staff representatives or unions prior to any change in the pathway from SPC to permanent posts within the NAS; if she will provide details of such consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17703/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The National Ambulance Service (NAS) is committed to continued expansion of its frontline workforce in 2026 through a series of planned new developments. As part of this, the HSE has confirmed that full-time, permanent contracts are available for all Year-Three graduates completing the Paramedic programme with NAS in 2026. Graduates play a vital role in maintaining workforce capacity by filling vacancies arising from retirements and promotions, as well as supporting the creation of new posts linked to new service development under the National Service Plan. It is essential that NAS can prioritise the placement of these graduates to fill roles in areas with the greatest operational need. To ensure a fair and transparent allocation of permanent posts, graduates have been asked to apply through a confined internal competition. This approach is consistent with recruitment processes used elsewhere in the health service. Graduates have been asked to select their three preferred locations within a region, and every effort will be made to accommodate first preferences. Where vacancies are oversubscribed, the process being implemented will ensure a fair and equitable allocation of roles. While completing their BSc. (Hon) in Paramedic Studies, student paramedics hold a Specified Purpose Contract (SPC). As NAS works to fill the permanent positions, year-three graduates have been given a 16-week extension to their SPC to ensure continuity of service and employment for the graduates.

Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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310. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the recent change in the long-established practice whereby newly qualified paramedics in the National Ambulance Service were offered permanent contracts upon completion of their training; the rationale for requiring the current cohort of graduating paramedics to instead apply for permanent positions through an internal recruitment competition; the details and timeline of this competition; the number of permanent positions that will be made available; the steps being taken to address the stress, uncertainty, and employment insecurity caused to affected staff by this sudden and unannounced change in practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17706/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The National Ambulance Service (NAS) is committed to continued expansion of its frontline workforce in 2026 through a series of planned new developments, and graduates completing the Paramedic programme this year will all be eligible to apply for permanent roles. Each year, the NAS undertakes a competitive recruitment process to select a cohort of Student Paramedics to complete the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Paramedic Studies and progress to registration with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). The 2025 campaign generated significant interest, attracting more than 1,000 applications. This structured education and training pathway provides the HSE with a sustainable pipeline of newly qualified and registered Paramedics. Graduates play a vital role in maintaining workforce capacity by filling vacancies arising from retirements and promotions, as well as supporting the creation of new posts linked to new service development under the National Service Plan. It is essential that NAS can prioritise the placement of these graduates to fill vacant or new development roles in areas prioritised for expansion, based on service activity and with the greatest operational need.

The HSE met with trade unions on the 6th of February to advise them of the challenges they face in progressing Year 3 Paramedics to permanent posts under the current processes. During this engagement, NAS outlined three specific elements of the existing process that require amendment to ensure that vacant, funded positions can be filled in a timelier manner. These changes are necessary to enable the successful Year 3 cohort to apply for available funded positions as they arise.To ensure continuity of service delivery during this recruitment process, temporary contract extensions have been put in place for current graduates. All access to permanent employment within NAS is governed by the HSE’s employment and expenditure controls applicable in any given year.

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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311. To ask the Minister for Health the National Ambulance Service (NAS) operational area, management division and reporting unit that covers the towns and villages and rural hinterland of Midleton, Youghal, Carrigtwohill, Cobh, Aghada, Castlemartyr, Killeagh, Cloyne, Mitchelstown and Fermoy; and to clarify whether NAS reporting aligns with the new HSE Health Regions and Integrated Healthcare Areas. [17725/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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312. To ask the Minister for Health the number of emergency incidents within the HSE South West’s Cork North and East Integrated Healthcare Area, in each of the years 2024 and 2025 where National Ambulance Service response times exceeded times (details supplied), by call priority and year, in tabular form. [17726/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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313. To ask the Minister for Health the number of frontline emergency ambulances, rapid response vehicles and other National Ambulance Services resources routinely rostered to serve the HSE South West’s Cork North and East Integrated Healthcare Area (IHA), to cover Youghal to Midleton specifically; and the number of shifts or hours where cover was reduced or unavailable due to staffing shortages or other operational constraints, for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. [17727/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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314. To ask the Minister for Health the whole-time equivalent (WTE) staffing complement of the National Ambulance Service in the operational area identified as serving the east Cork towns of Midleton and Youghal listed, including, sanctioned posts, filled posts, vacant posts, staff on long-term leave, broken down by grade (paramedic, advanced paramedic, EMT, control staff and support grades) for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [17728/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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315. To ask the Minister for Health the whole-time equivalent (WTE) staffing complement of the National Ambulance Service serving the HSE South West’s Cork North and East Integrated Healthcare Area (IHA), including, sanctioned posts, filled posts, vacant posts, staff on long-term leave , broken down by grade (paramedic, advanced paramedic, EMT, control staff and support grades) for each of the years 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [17729/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.