asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans for a national ambulance service, to enable more prompt and efficient service to be available to the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Ambulance Service.
63.
Mr. O'Malley
I do not accept that there are advantages to be derived from organising the ambulance service on a national basis instead of at local level as at present. I presume that the Deputy's main concern is in regard to accident victims rather than non-emergency cases requiring ambulance transport. I am satisfied that with the improvements which have been made in recent years in the equipment of ambulances and the training of crews, local authorities generally are now in a position to provide a more effective emergency service. But I am not being complacent. Where a vital service of this sort is concerned there is always room for further improvement and the Deputy may be assured that that is a constant aim of my Department.
Would the Minister not consider that a central pool for ambulance services would be a desirable asset to the existing services?
Mr. O'Malley
Is that not what the Deputy asked me?
Yes, but the answer has not exactly clarified the position. That is why I am asking the supplementary question.
Mr. O'Malley
As I have said in the last part of my answer, the services are constantly under review to see if further improvements could be made.