Vol. 470 No. 4
97 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding an application by the Western Health Board for the establishment of an ambulance base at a home for the aged at Carraroe to serve the south Connemara catchment area; if an allocation of funds will be made available to the Western Health Board for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19106/96]
Limerick East): The planning and organisation of ambulance services in the western area is a matter for the Western Health Board to address from the annual funding received from my Department in respect of such services. In this regard, special development funds of £300,000 and £375,000 were allocated to the board in 1995 and 1996 respectively.
While indicating that the current year's allocation has been fully committed, the board has made an additional request for special funding in respect of the south Connemara ambulance service. This request is being considered in my Department in the context of the many competing demands for additional funding.
