asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an ambulance service for Cobh, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cobh Ambulance Service.
11.
The provision of ambulance services in Cobh is primarily a matter for the Southern Health Board.
I understand that the Cobh area is served by ambulances located in Midleton and at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork.
I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary is aware of the disquiet and the dissatisfaction of the people in that area with the inadequacy of the ambulance service there at the moment. The ambulance is based in Midleton, which is a considerable distance away, and Cobh is off the beaten track and almost inaccessible. This matter is all the more urgent because of the incidence of industrial accidents which are liable to increase in the future. I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to convey the wishes of the people in the area to the Minister and ensure that an ambulance is provided as quickly as possible.
Like the Deputy, I have had representations from the people in Cobh. I took them up with the Southern Health Board who told me that for the moment they believed the services now available are adequate. They assured me—and I assured the Deputy—that this position will be kept under review.