Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
25. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by her Department to increase the provision of ambulance services in the east Cork area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17705/26]
View answerThe Government has continuously invested in our National Ambulance Service with significant increases in investment in recent years. In 2026, Government investment will support HSE plans to further increase NAS capacity with 263 posts at a cost of €20 million. This funding will help to improve emergency ambulance response performance, increase intermediate care service capacity and further develop NAS alternative care pathways. The NAS also plans to establish a new Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in the West/North-West of the country later this year, significantly increasing NAS national aeromedical capacity.
In the South-West region, increased investment in 2026 will see additional emergency ambulances for Cork City and Killarney, as well as an additional Intermediate Care Vehicle in Bantry. An additional community paramedic in 2026 is also planned for the region to provide healthcare supports for lower acuity older patients, reducing the need for unnecessary conveyance to busy hospital emergency department where there is no clinical need. In nearby county Waterford, an additional paramedic was provided in 2025 and an additional community paramedic is planned for 2026. In addition, the provision of a replacement Ambulance Station in Midleton is currently at Design Feasibility stage.
The Deputy will be aware that the NAS has recently established a new tertiary education training facility in Cork to further support paramedic education and training. I am pleased to learn that the first intake of student paramedics took place in January 2026, which has increased overall NAS training capacity by 20%.
