Ambulance Service.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2005

Tuesday, 1 March 2005

Questions (79)

Arthur Morgan

Question:

136 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the practice of dispatching ambulances and their crews on to frosty, dangerous roads at 3 a.m. to collect employee time-sheets from various locations in County Louth is considered best practice; the reason for such misuse or this most valuable resource rather than using fax machines or other electronic methods of gathering this material; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6503/05]

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 the provision of ambulance services. 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.