Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2022
301. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of frontline personnel whole-time equivalent in the National Ambulance Service at the end of each year since 2016; the number of additional personnel who are expected to be recruited in 2022; and the overall increases in personnel in whole-time equivalent terms that is projected for 2022, in tabular form. [2811/22]
View answer302. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place for development of the National Ambulance Service over the next five years. [2812/22]
View answer303. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of additional staff whole-time equivalent that will be required by the National Ambulance Service over the next five years; the estimated full-year cost of recruiting same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2813/22]
View answer305. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency ambulances currently in service according to the year they entered service; the number of intermediate care ambulances currently in service by the year they entered service; the number of rapid response vehicles currently in service by the year in which they entered service and the HSE region in which they are based in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2815/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 301, 302, 303 and 305 together.
The Deputy will be aware of the second NAS strategic plan "Vision 2020" which was published in 2016, and the separate reviews into pre-hospital emergency care services that informed it - the HIQA Review of Ambulance Services in 2014 and the NAS Baseline and Capacity Review of 2016, both of which made a number of recommendations on efficiency reforms to improve performance. In line with Sláintecare and Vision 2020, a significant programme of work is underway to transform the NAS from an emergency medical service into a mobile medical service. This is a model which aims to treat patients at the lowest appropriate level of acuity, resulting in a better experience for the patient and more efficient use of resources.
I can advise that a new five-year NAS strategic plan is currently being finalised by the HSE. This plan, elements of which have been funded in Budget 2022, will facilitate a strategic organisational redesign and continued focus on key priorities including alternative care pathways and progress towards meeting capacity requirements and performance targets. It will be supported by an independently conducted National Demand and Capacity Analysis which has been commissioned by NAS with a view to informing future capacity requirements and workforce planning up to 2027.
As the additional queries raised are service matters for the National Ambulance Service I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
