Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has called on the Minister for Health to urgently address funding issues which are holding back the training of specialist advanced paramedics and the protection of the vital Emerging Threat Unit.

The TD for Waterford also called on the National Ambulance Service to ensure that advanced paramedics are deployed appropriately to meet patient need, and for appropriately qualified paramedics to be recognised for advanced practice until the conclusion of the review of roles and responsibilities and the implementation of a new paramedic specialist grade.

Teachta Cullinane said:

“It is an indictment of the government’s failure to plan ahead that there is no provision in the 2025 HSE Service Plan to train advanced practice specialist paramedics this year.

“At the same time, the Ambulance Service is not funded to pay the essential advanced practice allowance that helps to retain experienced and highly skilled paramedics.

“Paramedics are also raising serious concerns with me that there are not enough advanced paramedics and that existing advanced paramedics are not being deployed efficiently. There are serious concerns being raised for patient safety, as well as for staff morale which is very low.

“On top of this, the Ambulance Service is disbanding the essential Emerging Threat Unit because of a lack of funding. This is feeding into poor morale and will present major safety risks if the unit is disbanded.

“All of this is getting caught up in the talks on the future framework following the review of roles and responsibilities, which is long delayed.

“At the heart of these disputes is the government’s reckless recruitment embargo and mismanagement of the health service has devastated the Ambulance Service’s ability to hire and train more paramedics.

“The Minister for Health needs to show leadership, ensure a positive conclusion in talks on roles and responsibilities, fund the training and deployment of specialist paramedics, and fund the retention of the Emerging Threats Unit.

“The Ambulance Service needs to be resourced to fully staff its core services, recruit and train more paramedics, and further develop specialist and advanced practice.”