Joe Walsh
Question:96 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will have arrangements made to provide an additional ambulance and crew to serve the Clonakilty area of County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4455/96]
Written Answers. - County Cork Ambulance Service.
Limerick East): Since 1993, my Department has made substantial funding available to the Southern Health Board to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the ambulance review group. This year an additional sum of £375,000 has been allocated to the board for this purpose. However, it is a matter for the board in the first instance to determine its priorities with regard to the provision of ambulance services within its region.
The Deputy will wish to know that the Southern Health Board recently prepared a report on emergency ambulance services and presented it at the February board meeting. The report contained a review of the organisation of ambulance services in the light of changing demands and demographic shifts. It recommends the location of an ambulance in Kinsale by day to serve the western part of the greater Cork city area and that the service after 5 p.m. should continue to be provided from the Clonakilty base. I understand that the report was referred to the three standing committees of the board for further consideration and will be subject to further discussion by the full board over the next couple of months.