asked the Minister for Justice the number and location of ambulances held by the Garda Síochána; and what arrangements operate to provide ambulance services for sick and injured members when Garda ambulances are not available.
65.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Ambulance Service.
64.
Mr. Ryan
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Justice the arrangements which operate in the Dublin area when a member of the Garda Síochána resident in a station is in need of an ambulance to convey him to hospital; if he is aware of the concern felt in the Force that such arrangements are inadequate to cope with the demand for an ambulance in an emergency; and if he will have a more expeditious ambulance service provided.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
I have no evidence of any dissatisfaction with the present ambulance services nor can I find any ground for concern.
In addition to the utilisation of the ambulance services which are available to the general public, a Garda ambulance is provided for the conveyance to hospitals of members of the Force whose removal by ambulance is recommended by the Garda medical authorities. The Garda ambulance, which is located at the Depot, Phoenix Park, is used mainly for the conveyance of members for treatment in Dublin hospitals, including the Garda Depot Hospital. The number or occasions during the past 12 months when it was required for use for this purpose was 28.