Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 7

Written Answers. - Ambulance Service.

Michael McDowell

Question:

69 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a young motor-cycle courier, who had been involved in a road traffic accident on Thursday, 10 April 1997, at the corner of Burlington Road and Mespil Road, Dublin 4, was left lying on the ground for an inordinate length of time before the ambulance arrived; and whether he has satisfied himself that the Dublin ambulance services are properly resourced and managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10252/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Responsibility for the provision of an ambulance service in the Dublin area is a matter for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance. I have had inquiries made of the Eastern Health Board regarding the incident referred to by the Deputy. I have been informed by the board that two calls were received from members of the public in connection with this accident, the first at 13:43 and the second at 13:44 on 10 April 1997. The control staff acted immediately and the call was relayed to an ambulance at 13:46 hours. The ambulance arrived at the scene of the accident at 13:47, left with the casualty at 13:58 and arrived at the hospital at 14:02 hours. I am satisfied that the time taken by the ambulance service to respond to this call was not excessive.