Vol. 474 No. 6
122 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to giving the ambulance drivers emergency services status in terms and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3791/97]
Limerick East): I would refer the Deputy to replies given on 26 September and 17 October on this issue. I have already outlined that the report of the review group on the ambulance service was published in November 1993. The group, in its report, stated that the ambulance service is an emergency service similar to the Garda and fire service. The report of the review group has been accepted by Government and forms the basis of Government policy in relation to the ambulance service.
While the ambulance service acts as an emergency service in respect of its accident and emergency work, approximately half of all ambulance calls are not of an emergency nature but are related to the routine transport of patients. In addition, classification as an emergency service does not suggest that ambulance personnel are being asked to carry out the same duties as either the fire service personnel or indeed the gardaí.
In relation to the pay and conditions of ambulance personnel and controllers in provincial locations in 1993, I have clarified the nature of the claim made by SIPTU on behalf of ambulance personnel in previous responses. Final agreement was reached on a package of proposals in December 1996. A ballot on this package was started at the end of last year. For technical reasons on the union side the ballot had to be rearranged for the coming weeks. It is my hope that this offer will be accepted and that this group's parity with their Dublin counterparts will be restored.
