Pat Casey
Ceist:46. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of ambulance services in Arklow and west County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50730/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 5 December 2018
Ceisteanna (46)
Freagraí scríofa
There is no specific review of ambulance services in Arklow and West County Wicklow planned at present. The National Ambulance Service continues to monitor its services provided to the public in order to ensure a safe, efficient and timely response to requests for assistance.
Current rostering arrangements of ambulance services in County Wicklow were adjusted in 2012 following a Labour Court Recommendation in which the National Ambulance Service and the Trade Unions representing ambulance staff were instructed to remove overtime generating inefficiencies. This culminated in a number of adjustments to rostering arrangements at a number of ambulance stations around the country. I am pleased to inform you that the resulting changes have increased overall resource availability across the North Leinster Area, in particular Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow which provides for dynamic cover to be applied to areas or to respond to incidents as they arise.
The National Ambulance Service is increasingly moving to a policy of dynamic deployment. This ensures that vehicles are strategically located where they are most likely to be required, rather than located at a particular station. In line with this policy, and using the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System to triage calls, County Wicklow is also supported by other National Ambulance Service bases in Loughlinstown, Gorey, Naas and Athy. An additional Advanced Paramedic rapid response vehicle was introduced in Newcastle. Co Wicklow around 2015 to further support resources in the area.
Dynamic deployment of resources is just one aspect of a significant process of modernisation of the National Ambulance Service in recent years and is being accompanied by a multi-annual reform programme of investment in new developments, increased manpower and fleet and improved technology. Over recent years, year on year, additional investment has been directed towards the National Ambulance Service. This year, an additional sum of €10.7m has been made available which includes €2.75m to fund new developments.