Ambulance Service.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005

Tuesday, 8 February 2005

Questions (195)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

201 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of residents in Ashbourne, County Meath, regarding the poor ambulance service available to them due to the fact that they are served by bases in Navan or Drogheda which leads to lengthy delays; if she will give urgent consideration to serving Ashbourne from ambulance bases on the north side of Dublin or alternatively make provision for an ambulance at the fire brigade base adjacent to Ashbourne; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3518/05]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for ambulance services in County Meath. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's north-eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.