SIPTU calls for action on ambulance staffing crisis to be highlighted in Dáil debates

Feb 28, 2023 | Archives, PressArchive, PressArchive2023

SIPTU members have called for urgent action to be taken by the Government on the worsening staffing crisis in ambulance services which will be debated in the Dáil this evening (Tuesday, 28th February) and tomorrow (Wednesday, 1st March). SIPTU Sector Organiser, Ted Kenny, said: “The worsening resourcing and staffing crisis in ambulance services will be the subject of debate in the Dáil over the next two days. This is a positive development and will hopefully force the Government to finally take decisive action to end a crisis which is threatening the effective delivery of public healthcare across the country. “Sinn Féin is today presenting a motion on the funding and resourcing of the NAS and the Regional Group of TDs have also tabled a motion in relation to the future of regional pre-emergency care which is scheduled for debate tomorrow.” Kenny added: “An appropriate first step towards ending the crisis in our ambulance services would be the implementation of the independent review of Roles and Responsibilities at the NAS which dates back to 2018. Our members and the HSE management have both called for its immediate implementation in order to assist in alleviating the crisis in ambulance services.”  SIPTU Organiser, Geoff McEvoy, said: “SIPTU representatives in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have called for their full inclusion in the discussions surrounding the future of their services following the deeply regrettable failure to invite them to a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health which discussed the issue last week.” SIPTU Dublin Fire Brigade Chairperson, Mick Redmond, said: “The DFB workers are key stakeholders in this issue. Had we been given the opportunity to make a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health on this issue we would have been able to appraise it on the crucial elements of the Fire Based Emergency Medical Service (EMS) that has served the residents of Dublin so well for generations and was not featured in their discussions.”