Dublin Sinn Féin City Councillor and EU candidate Daithí Doolan has said the Health Service Executive must pay Dublin Fire Brigade €17.03m it owes for the Emergency Ambulance Service.
Cllr Doolan said:
“The Health Service Executive owes Dublin Fire Brigade a total of €17.03m for the emergency ambulance service it provides in Dublin. This money must be paid immediately.
“The total 2024 budget for Dublin Fire Brigade is €164m. The HSE debt accounts for more than 10% of the budget. That money is badly needed for a fire service that is struggling with recruitment and retainment. This money could be invested in new appliances, training and upskilling.
“Dublin Fire Brigade provides an essential, life-saving service on behalf of the HSE. It is only fair that the HSE covers the cost of this important service.
“It is time for Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to step in and guarantee that this debt is cleared as a matter of urgency.”