Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
1186. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any internal dispatch-time performance targets, whether formal or informal, are applied within the National Ambulance Service for the allocation of 999 calls; and to provide details of same. [30204/26]
View answer1187. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any such dispatch-time performance metrics are documented within the HSE Enterprise Risk Register or any associated risk management framework; and if so, to provide details. [30205/26]
View answer1188. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any internal or external audits, reviews, or evaluations have examined ambulance dispatch timelines or allocation practices since 2020; and to provide the dates and headline findings of such reviews. [30206/26]
View answer1189. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued any policy direction, guidance, or oversight framework governing ambulance dispatch prioritisation and allocation decisions; and to provide details. [30207/26]
View answer1190. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she is satisfied that the current ambulance dispatch framework adequately balances response speed with geographic efficiency and regional capacity constraints; and whether any formal assessment of this balance has been conducted. [30208/26]
View answer1195. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the current dispatch framework has been subject to any international benchmarking or comparison with equivalent emergency medical services systems; and to provide details. [30213/26]
View answer1200. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any reforms are planned to enhance transparency or reporting of ambulance dispatch performance metrics. [30218/26]
View answer1201. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any internal governance structures exist within the National Ambulance Service to review dispatch decision-making practices on a recurring basis. [30219/26]
View answer1205. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any plans are in place to introduce a nationally standardised dispatch performance framework, including measurable allocation time targets. [30223/26]
View answer1204. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any modelling or capacity analysis has been conducted to assess the relationship between ambulance availability, dispatch timelines, and regional demand pressures. [30222/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1186, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1195, 1200, 1201, 1204 and 1205 together.
As set out for the Deputy in previous recent answers to questions on NAS performance, NAS emergency response performance is measured against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), based on HIQA recommendations, that are included in the HSE's National Service Plan. These comprise:
• % of clinical status 1 PURPLE (cardiac/respiratory) incidents responded to by a NAS patient-carrying vehicle in 18 minutes and 59 seconds or less.
• % of PURPLE calls which had a resource allocated within 60 seconds of call start.
• % of clinical status 1 RED (all other emergencies) incidents responded to by a NAS patient carrying vehicle in 18 minutes and 59 seconds or less.
• % of RED calls which have a resource allocated within 180 seconds of call start.
These KPIs align to the Priority Dispatch Standard published by the Regulator for the profession, the Prehospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC).
As also previously outlined to the Deputy, performance against the targets set for these KPIs is reported monthly by the HSE and discussed in detail with my Department to address any identified challenges and agree any required actions.
In regard to the other specific inquiries made by the Deputy in his questions I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond with any further pertinent information it may have.
