asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding the handling of ambulances and their availability at Saint Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loughlinstown (Dublin) Hospital Ambulance.
18.
The provision of ambulances at this hospital is a matter for the Eastern Health Board.
I understand that there is at present an ambulance located at the hospital which provides a service from 8 a.m. to midnight. The Dún Laoghaire fire brigade ambulance is available on a 24-hour basis. There is also a local back-up ambulance service, if needed. A minibus is located at the hospital to convey persons to clinics.
Arising from the Minister's reply might I ask him if ambulances are garaged at this hospital overnight?
I do not know whether they are garaged at the hospital or not. My information is that they are available from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Am I correct in saying that from midnight to 8 a.m. ambulances needed come from the Dún Laoghaire fire brigade service?
I am informed that that service is available to the Loughlinstown Hospital.
Has the dispute at the hospital involving the staffing of these ambulances been settled?
That is a separate matter.
No. I believe there are negotiations proceeding in regard to the dispute.
Is the Minister satisfied that the service is effective?
I have allowed the Deputy four or five supplementary questions. We must pass to the next question.