Ambulance Service Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Questions (871)

Joan Burton

Question:

871. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence from Dublin City Council's special committee for fire and ambulance services and emergency management regarding the need for four additional ambulances to meet Dublin Fire Brigade's emergency medical service capacity needs; if his office received these requests from the council dated 10 February 2017 and 19 July 2017; the measures his Department has to support Dublin Fire Brigade's emergency medical service ambulance capacity needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47104/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I received correspondence from the Dublin City Council (DCC) Special Committee for Fire and Ambulance Services and Emergency Management seeking a meeting to discuss the possible transfer of ambulance call taking and dispatch from Dublin Fire Brigade to the National Emergency Operations Centre. However, Dublin ambulance service provision is currently the subject of a mediation process between DCC and staff associations, and in those circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to meet with the Committee at this stage.