Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2007
303 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the issuing of anti-stab vests for paramedics and ambulance personnel; and if her attention has been drawn to the fears of crews subject to attack and the view that they should be provided with such protection. [19927/07]
View answer307 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children if anti-stab vests will be made available to ambulance personnel as requested by their representative organisation. [20007/07]
View answer328 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department will examine the feasibility of providing anti-stab vests for fire brigade and ambulance personnel in view of attacks on these personnel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20097/07]
View answer359 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will authorise the issuing of anti-stab vests to frontline paramedics as requested by the Association of Ambulance Personnel in view of attacks on paramedics. [20383/07]
View answer360 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children her proposals to ensure that anti-stab vests are issued to front line paramedics who require such protection within the increasingly more aggressive society here where the number of ambulance crews being subject to physical attacks is rising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20399/07]
View answer366 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health and Children if she and the Health Service Executive will provide anti-stab vests to ambulance personnel in view of the fact that security personnel in the Mid Western Regional Hospital are wearing anti-stab vests. [20443/07]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 307, 328, 359, 360 and 366 together.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personnel social services. This includes responsibility for paramedics and ambulance personnel.
My Department has therefore requested the HSE to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy in relation to the provision of anti-stab vests to paramedic and ambulance staff and to reply directly to him.
