Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 February 2025
260. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the total number of on-the-road/operational staff working on emergency ambulances and intermediate care vehicles across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3926/25]
View answer261. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced paramedics rostered to provide advanced life support on the road/operational across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3927/25]
View answer262. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the amount currently spent on private ambulances annually by the HSE and the National Ambulance Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3928/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 260 to 262, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, whilst the National Ambulance Service (NAS) is the statutory prehospital emergency and intermediate care provider for the state, in the Dublin area the primary ambulance provider is Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB). Some ambulance services in the capital are also provided by the NAS, not exclusively, but primarily in areas outside of Dublin City.
Given that DFB falls under the aegis of Dublin City Council, queries relating to DFB, including that of its resourcing, are in the first instance a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In regard to the Deputy's specific questions pertaining to the NAS, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
