I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for selecting this Topical Issue. I raise the very important matter of ambulance service provision in the wider east Cork area. East Cork is a huge area with an ever-increasing population but, unfortunately, the current ambulance service appears inadequate to meet the demands placed on it. I have received numerous reports of long waits for ambulances and medical attention in the aftermath of medical emergencies. This has prompted me to raise the matter as a Topical Issue. I have the utmost respect for the ambulance service and its crews. I recognise the vital work the service does, under enormous pressure, to protect our communities. However, it needs help in providing such an important service to the best of its ability and this assistance should be forthcoming from Government. East Cork spans a wide geographical area and this alone ensures that ambulance crews are constantly covering a very populated and busy part of County Cork. This area will only get busier and ambulance service provision will be spread even thinner with the number of planned housing developments and road infrastructure upgrades proposed for the near future. With delays in the provision of vital life-saving services being experienced by so many in east Cork, there is scope to greatly improve the service as it stands and possibly increase it further into the future. As I am sure the Minister of State would agree, any loss of life is regrettable. I very much appreciate that preventing loss of life is the primary objective of the ambulance service but, despite best efforts, there are, unfortunately, instances where delays in providing immediate medical care can contribute greatly to the passing of a person. With that in mind, I raise the recent case of a family in east Cork where a family member unfortunately passed away with the delay in providing medical attention a major contributing factor in his death. This has profoundly affected the family, which is questioning the HSE about the procedures that were followed in this case. The family argument is that it should not happen to any other family. While this case is an individual one, the family is asking that the overall service in east Cork be greatly improved. With that in mind, can the Minister of State give a breakdown of ambulance service provision in east Cork and the number of times east Cork was left without an ambulance service in each year from 2021 to 2025? Has there been a review of the ambulance service in east Cork recently or is any review is planned? What measures are the Department of Health and the HSE taking to ensure service provision is increased in the area going forward?

Sentiment score: 0.07

I thank the Minister of State for her very detailed response. I acknowledge the investment in the ambulance service in the area. While I appreciate the work the Department of Health and HSE are doing to ensure increased service provision, I remain adamant that east Cork requires further attention. With this in mind, can the Minister of State outline where exactly ambulance services in east Cork are currently based? I welcome the fact a centre will be established in east Cork with Midleton as a possible destination. I welcome the Minister of State's response with regard to that. I understand the expansion of such a centre is being actively progressed by the HSE and that the project is currently at the site selection phase. Have there been any further developments on identifying a suitable site? For the reasons I outlined previously, the development of such a facility would be an enormous boost to the wider east Cork area. It would also provide much-needed comfort to the families of those who may require urgent medical intervention at short notice. With this in mind, I ask the Minister to continue to liaise with the HSE on possible measures that could be introduced locally, including the establishment of a landing centre. Finally, I ask that we be updated regarding any other measures. I reiterate my support for the ambulance service, the work it does and all the front-line workers.

Sentiment score: 0.28