Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
792. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed takeover of Dublin Fire Brigade by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42101/14]
View answerDublin Fire Brigade (DFB) provides emergency ambulance services in Dublin city and county, by arrangement between Dublin City Council and the HSE. The HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) provides some emergency capacity in the greater Dublin area, as well as non-emergency patient transport.
The ongoing national development of pre-hospital emergency care involves a range of initiatives. These include the development of a single national control and dispatch system, which is expected to be completed in 2015. This new system will deploy all emergency ambulance resources in the State, including emergency ambulances, rapid response and intermediate care vehicles, first responders and aeromedical services.
In light of the development of the national control system, the Dublin City Manager and the HSE's Chief Operating Officer commissioned an independent review of DFB ambulance services in Dublin City and County. The review is examining all aspects of DFB ambulance operations, including the capacity and capability of ambulance services.
The review has led to some speculation and concern about the future of the DFB ambulance service. I want to assure those concerned that I fully appreciate the service the Fire Brigade provides. This review is not a negative reflection of that service. It is being conducted in parallel with the HIQA review of the NAS and the NAS capacity review. The intention behind these reviews is to examine our pre-hospital emergency care services, so that we can identify the best way to enable them to meet the challenges of the future. I look forward to the recommendations of all three reviews. I am certain they will help us to ensure that we provide a service capable of delivering the best possible outcomes for the public.
