Ambulance Service
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-14
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

I thank the Deputy for articulating the current situation in County Roscommon. The Deputy referred to people being put at risk. When anybody makes a 999 call looking for an ambulance, the call is triaged in relation to how serious the situation is, for example, whether it is a cardiac case, stroke, a broken limb, a fall or whatever else. The first response from the National Ambulance Service is always to triage and respond to the most critical incident first. It is important that anybody tuning in to this debate hears that. The Deputy said lives are being put at risk because the service is not available for 12 hours during the week. It is important to say, however, that all calls are triaged appropriately.
Almost 30,000 patients were treated in the first six months of last year alone through a National Ambulance Service alternative care pathway, which is also important, with 40% of these patients not requiring subsequent conveyance. The Deputy is speaking about the emergencies that arise and the challenge that arises for patients and their families. I reiterate two points. In relation to the action card, which the Deputy said has been issued in two other counties but not in Roscommon, I will bring that point back. I reiterate also that I have been advised that the National Ambulance Service will continue efforts in 2026 to address the vacancies identified in Roscommon. I thank the Deputy again for raising this extremely important matter.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-14/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:30+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-14