Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2018
341. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the arrangements he has put in place in consultation with his colleague, the Minister for Health, to implement all the terms of the motion passed by Dáil Éireann on 19 June 2018, which was supported by the Government, relating to the fire-based emergency ambulance service operated by the Dublin Fire Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43058/18]
View answer342. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if provision will be made in the procurement process for the upgrading of the fire services call-out system, that is, the Ctrí project for the fire-based emergency ambulance service operated by the Dublin Fire Brigade in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43060/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.
I note the motion passed by Dáil Éireann on 19 June 2018 regarding Dublin Fire Brigade's emergency ambulance service.
Responsibility for the provision of emergency medical services, including pre-hospital emergency care, rests with the Health Service Executive (HSE), which operates the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and emergency departments in hospitals in accordance with health sector legislation and national health policy.
Therefore, it is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health, and the HSE to consider further the motion referred to.
As Minister with policy and legislative responsibility for fire safety and the provision of fire services by local authorities, I am primarily concerned that local authority-provided fire services are meeting their statutory obligations in respect of provision of fire services and fire safety, as set out in the Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended).
Under section 10 of the Act, fire authorities are required to make adequate provision for the reception of and response to calls for the assistance of the fire brigade via the 999/112 system. Fire services work together to deliver this function at three Regional Communications Centres in Limerick, Castlebar and Dublin.
The C-trí Project will move the current three region-based fire services emergency call systems to a single, unified call-handling system, while continuing to use the current three centres. This will enhance both the resilience and capacity of the individual Regional Communication Centres for handling 999/112 calls. I have no plans to amend the existing terms of reference of the C-trí project at this time.
Dublin City Council provides fire services for the city and county of Dublin, which are resourced by the four Dublin Local Authorities, through Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB). Dublin City Council, through DFB, also provides an emergency ambulance service on behalf of the HSE on an agency basis in the greater Dublin area. Any amendment to this arrangement, including in relation to call handling, governance and cost reimbursement, is a matter for Dublin City Council and the HSE in the first instance.
