Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-22
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Brian Stanley (IND), Laois

When we compare what we have to what Scotland, which has similar population and geography, has, it has 5,000 staff while we have just over 2,500. Scotland has 1,500 vehicles while we have 620, so I think the Taoiseach accepts there is ground to be made up.
The spring economic statement that came out yesterday shows there are substantial resources there. I am not asking the Taoiseach to throw that money around like confetti. I do not want him to do that but I want the Government to make the ambulance service a key priority in the forthcoming budget. It is essential. We have heard enough over the years about the golden hour. If an ambulance does not get to a person for two or three hours, time is lost.
I am asking the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health to ensure County Laois is provided with a rapid response vehicle because we are at the crossroads of Ireland with the N7, N8, N80 and N78 all going through the centre of the county. I am asking the Taoiseach to ensure there is positive engagement with the National Ambulance Service to sort out rapid deployment and to ensure two or three ambulances are on at all times in County Laois.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-22/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:51+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-22