Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
1277. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE considers the 2016 NAS Baseline and Capacity Review findings regarding the attainability of HIQA response standards to remain valid in 2026. [37882/26]
View answer1290. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any review has been conducted since the 2016 NAS Baseline and Capacity Review regarding the statement that HIQA ambulance response standards were "impossible to achieve"; and whether revised national targets were subsequently adopted. [37897/26]
View answer1291. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health who authorised the operational replacement or modification of the HIQA ambulance response standards referenced in the 2016 NAS Capacity Review. [37898/26]
View answer1303. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has conducted any updated capacity review of the National Ambulance Service since the 2016 NAS Baseline and Capacity Review.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37910/26]
View answer1304. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any modelling has been conducted since 2020 regarding the investment required to achieve full compliance with historic HIQA ambulance response standards. [37911/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1277, 1290, 1291, 1303 and 1304 together.
The Government is committed to supporting increased capacity in the NAS in order to progress its process of continued strategic reform of pre-hospital services.
Sustained Government investment in the NAS has provided for an annual budget allocation increase of 67% since 2020 and a staffing growth of 30% or 571 whole time equivalents over the same time period. This investment has also led to significant reforms in patient care in line with the NAS's transformation into a modern, agile and responsive ambulance service well positioned to treat more patients at the most appropriate level of clinical need.
This year's allocation to the NAS includes New Service Development funding of €20 million for the recruitment of 263 additional posts, providing funding for up to 2,920 whole time equivalents by end 2026.
This year's new service developments are very much focussed on improving NAS performance against the key performance indicator targets published in the HSE's National Service Plan and based on the HIQA standard, as well as improving intermediate care performance through additional resourcing, and building further alternative care pathways capacity to treat more patients.
In addition, capital investment in 2026 of almost €50 million will be invested in the renewal and expansion of the NAS vehicle fleet and on modernised NAS infrastructure.
