Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
624. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that there is no ambulance cover in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, on Tuesdays due to recent rostering changes; the circumstances in relation to a call out in the Ashbourne area, County Meath, on 14 May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25113/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Ambulance Service (NAS) is not a static service. The Service deploys its resources in a dynamic manner and works on an area and national, rather than a local, basis. The dynamic deployment of ambulance resources ensures that the nearest appropriate resource is mobilised to the location of any incident. For dynamic deployment of emergency resources within a region to be effective, those resources must be available to be used as efficiently as possible. Following a referral to the Labour Court under the Public Service Agreement, the NAS is currently progressing a number of efficiencies arising from the Court's ruling, including more efficient rostering and the removal of overtime built in to rosters. New rosters are now in place, including in the greater Dublin area, and are operating successfully. In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in these matters.
