Menu
08/02/2016
€18m Released To Purchase New Ambulances
Capital funding of €18 million has been announced for the National Ambulance Service this year to purchase 50 new ambulances, as well as 35 refurbished ambulances.
The funding has been made available under the HSE's capital programme.
The investment means that it will being the service's fleet to 268 vehicles by the end of 2016, depending on the decommissioning requirements of older vehicles.
In addition, ten Intermediate Care Vehicles will be purchased, bringing the total number of these vehicles, which are used for non-emergency patient transport, to 60. The vehicles perform hospital transfers and can carry more than one patient. They now carry over 80% of such traffic, freeing up emergency ambulances to respond to emergency calls.
A new rapid response vehicle will also be purchased under the funding.
Welcoming the news, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said: "I am delighted to make this investment in new emergency vehicles and look forward to them being in service. The introduction of over 150 vehicles in 2015 and 2016 is a real boost for the ambulance service.
"It allows us to replace older vehicles and expand services, especially in non-emergency transport. Moving patients from high to lower acuity facilities means that patient flow in our major hospitals will improve, which should help to ease pressure on our emergency departments.
"Replacing older vehicles will also help reduce costs and improve reliability. Our ambulances and crews cover enormous distances every year. It is vital that we continue to invest in and upgrade our fleet, so that our highly trained paramedics can give the best service they can, when our patients need it.
"I am delighted that additional resources will be provided to the ambulance service in 2016, to ensure ongoing improvements in service delivery."
(JP/LM)
The funding has been made available under the HSE's capital programme.
The investment means that it will being the service's fleet to 268 vehicles by the end of 2016, depending on the decommissioning requirements of older vehicles.
In addition, ten Intermediate Care Vehicles will be purchased, bringing the total number of these vehicles, which are used for non-emergency patient transport, to 60. The vehicles perform hospital transfers and can carry more than one patient. They now carry over 80% of such traffic, freeing up emergency ambulances to respond to emergency calls.
A new rapid response vehicle will also be purchased under the funding.
Welcoming the news, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said: "I am delighted to make this investment in new emergency vehicles and look forward to them being in service. The introduction of over 150 vehicles in 2015 and 2016 is a real boost for the ambulance service.
"It allows us to replace older vehicles and expand services, especially in non-emergency transport. Moving patients from high to lower acuity facilities means that patient flow in our major hospitals will improve, which should help to ease pressure on our emergency departments.
"Replacing older vehicles will also help reduce costs and improve reliability. Our ambulances and crews cover enormous distances every year. It is vital that we continue to invest in and upgrade our fleet, so that our highly trained paramedics can give the best service they can, when our patients need it.
"I am delighted that additional resources will be provided to the ambulance service in 2016, to ensure ongoing improvements in service delivery."
(JP/LM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 May 2012
Minister Urged To Make 'Alcolocks' Compulsary
Calls have been made for all public service vehicles to be fitted with ‘alcolocks’. Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar is being urged to make the devices, which immobilise an engine if a driver is over the drink-driving limit, compulsory.
Minister Urged To Make 'Alcolocks' Compulsary
Calls have been made for all public service vehicles to be fitted with ‘alcolocks’. Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar is being urged to make the devices, which immobilise an engine if a driver is over the drink-driving limit, compulsory.
23 August 2019
No Green Cards Needed For Drivers In No-Deal Brexit
Irish drivers will not be required to have a Green Card in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it has emerged. The internationally recognised insurance document provides proof to law enforcement agencies that a valid motor insurance policy is in place.
No Green Cards Needed For Drivers In No-Deal Brexit
Irish drivers will not be required to have a Green Card in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it has emerged. The internationally recognised insurance document provides proof to law enforcement agencies that a valid motor insurance policy is in place.
03 December 2015
Over 4,000 Counterfeit Bottles Of Vodka Seized In Co Louth
Over 4,000 bottles of counterfeit vodka have been seized in Co Louth. The discovery was made by a joint intelligence-led operation by An Garda Síochána and Customs enforcement officers.
Over 4,000 Counterfeit Bottles Of Vodka Seized In Co Louth
Over 4,000 bottles of counterfeit vodka have been seized in Co Louth. The discovery was made by a joint intelligence-led operation by An Garda Síochána and Customs enforcement officers.
09 January 2009
Ambulances Taken Off Road Due To Fire Fears
Irish ambulances have been taken off the road following a spate of incidents in which ambulances have burst into flames. Three incidents in the last 12 months have been recorded in Ireland, and it has recently been revealed that the same model of Mercedes ambulance has incurred the same fate in Wales also.
Ambulances Taken Off Road Due To Fire Fears
Irish ambulances have been taken off the road following a spate of incidents in which ambulances have burst into flames. Three incidents in the last 12 months have been recorded in Ireland, and it has recently been revealed that the same model of Mercedes ambulance has incurred the same fate in Wales also.
03 April 2014
New Taxi Regulations Announced
Public Transport Minister Alan Kelly has announced the introduction of new regulations for taxis set to come into force this month. The new regulations will include mandatory area knowledge tests for drivers with a history of poor local knowledge, continuous tax compliance monitoring and restrictions on stamp 2 visa holders from operating a taxi.
New Taxi Regulations Announced
Public Transport Minister Alan Kelly has announced the introduction of new regulations for taxis set to come into force this month. The new regulations will include mandatory area knowledge tests for drivers with a history of poor local knowledge, continuous tax compliance monitoring and restrictions on stamp 2 visa holders from operating a taxi.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
