Ambulance Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Questions (697)

Martin Kenny

Question:

697. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the Lightfoot report into the national ambulance service of Ireland emergency service baseline and capacity review which the Health Service Executive commissioned; if time will be set aside in Dáil Éireann to debate the report’s findings and recommendations into the delivery of ambulance response cover performance; and if the Health Service Executive has considered or implemented any of the findings or proposals contained in the client draft that was published on 14 November 2014. [9736/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) Capacity Review is one of three recent reports on pre-hospital emergency care services, along with HIQA's review of the National Ambulance Service and the HSE/Dublin City Council review of the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance service. A draft Action Plan, which incorporates the recommendations of both the HIQA and the Capacity Review, is currently being implemented. The HSE/Dublin City Council review recommendations will be incorporated into the Action Plan once that report is completed.

I intend to bring the Capacity Review to Government this week, after which I hope to be in a position to advise the HSE to proceed with publication of the Review.

Development funding of €2m has been provided to the NAS in 2016 which is being used to drive service improvements. In addition, our new Programme for Government commits to an annual increase in the numbers of available ambulances, Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.