Concern over local ambulance response times

Senator Robbie Gallagher (FF) raised the concerns growing across Cavan and Monaghan over local ambulance response times in Seanad Eireann this week.

He highlighted how there is an issue with the rostering of ambulance personnel in both counties, particularly in County Monaghan, and how there are three or four vacancies in the local stations, located in the county town and in Castleblayney.

“Vacant shifts were covered by local personnel who kindly volunteered to make themselves available to do overtime in order that the people of Monaghan and Cavan would have a service,” he outlined before pointing to how the National Ambulance Service (NAS) is now employing staff from as far away as Swords in County Dublin and Dundalk in Co Louth.

“Last week there were 17, 12-hour shifts for which no cover was provided locally. This week, I understand, there are 19 shifts, which have no cover provided locally. It is a very worrying situation. What efforts has the NAS made to reach out to the communities in Monaghan and Cavan to put forward the many rewards there would be for serving? I want to ensure that the people of Monaghan and Cavan have an adequate ambulance service but there are concerns about that.”

In response to the local Senator’s questions, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF), Minister of State at the Department of Health, told those gathered that all four local bases are staffed by “a highly skilled workforce”.

“In addition,” she continued, “Cavan and Monaghan are covered by the NAS national emergency operation centre clinical hub; 12 active community first responders groups comprising six in Cavan and six in Monaghan; the aeromedical support provided by the NAS emergency aeromedical support services in Athlone; and the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue service in Sligo.”

The Minister said she’s aware that patient demand for ambulance services continues to rise both nationally and in the north Leinster area.

“In 2024, 430,000 urgent and emergency calls were received from the public, representing an eight per cent increase nationally on the previous year,” she added.

The HSE's own service plan aims to respond to potential life-threatening calls by ambulance in less than 19 minutes. Response times, she claimed, in the main, had improved in 2024 compared to 2023.

Meanwhile, the Minister pointed to how NAS staffing numbers in the Cavan Monaghan region have grown with an increase of 11%, or 28 staff, in the past 12 months alone. “I welcome the deployment of the NAS community paramedic to the Cavan ambulance base where they will operate outside of their normal emergency response role to provide care in the community for lower acuity patients.

“I have also been informed that the NAS plans to increase the number of community and specialist paramedics in Cavan and Monaghan over the year, broadening the range of services offered in the area.”

A total of €285M has been allocated to the NAS by the government in 2025. This includes €8M for new service deployments, which will increase to €16M in 2026, aiming to deliver up to 180 additional posts.