andMr. Cowen asked the Minister for Health the present cost of an ambulance and the total annual cost of running a maximum used ambulance in (a) Offaly and (b) Laois.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois-Offaly Ambulance Services.
13.
The cost of an approved accident ambulance ranges from £2,313 to £3,017 depending on the model chosen.
Running costs of vehicles, excluding depreciation but including drivers' wages, for the year ended 31st March, 1969, were as follows:—
Offaly: £4,150 for three vehicles staffed by three permanent and one relief driver.
Laois: £7,520 for five vehicles staffed by three permanent, three temporary and one relief driver.
These figures do not include any element for nurses who travel with the ambulances or for clerical staff involved in the operation of the ambulance services.
Looking to the future, it is evident that consideration of ambulance services running costs related to particular counties will not have great relevance as it is intended that these services will be organised on a regional basis.