Vol. 480 No. 6
269 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has for the provision of an ambulance service for Carraroe and the surrounding isolated areas of Connemara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14377/97]
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. Special development funds of £ 300,000, £ 375,000 and £ 375,000 were allocated to the board in 1995, 1996 and 1997 respectively.
I understand from the board that provision has been made in their 1997 special allocation for the provision of an ambulance base and ambulance vehicle at Carraroe to serve the South Connemara catchment area. The board has made an additional request to my Department for special funding in respect of the pay costs associated with this development. This request will be addressed in discussions with the board on their priorities for next year, and other related issues, being held in the context of a current review of progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the review group on the ambulance service.
