The National Ambulance fleet’s internal HSE assessment revealed that last year’s budget allocation fell 50% short of the service’s financing requirements, reports RTE.
With 66 ambulances recorded as being five or six years old, it was discovered that certain emergency ambulances are being maintained in operation for longer than the five-year approved usage period.
A comprehensive inventory of ambulance breakdowns for the previous year was also unavailable, according to the National Ambulance Service’s assessment, reports RTE.
According to the report, the annual budget for replacing ambulances has stayed at €14.5 million since 2016, which is insufficient.
The current anticipated cost of an ambulance, which is €166,050, is not taken into consideration.
According to the audit, there is no protocol in place and no reserve emergency ambulances accessible, reports RTE.
The HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy has caused certain planned recruiting positions in the NAS to be put on hold, according to the audit’s other findings.
According to the audit, a rising and ageing population would create a 107% rise in demand for ambulance services by 2027.
After RTÉ News and other media requested Freedom of Information, the HSE provided a number of reports, including the audit, reports RTE.
It was carried out in August of last year with the intention of evaluating the fleet’s efficacy, economy, efficiency, and dependability.
With 2,400 employees spread over 100 sites, the NAS handles more than 400,000 calls annually.
There are 675 cars in its fleet, reports RTE.
The audit discovered that the HSE Fixed Asset Register did not have an accurate list of all ambulances.
The contracts in existence for maintenance services, especially those pertaining to turnaround times and price, were also inconsistent, reports RTE.
The HSE noted in a statement that the fleet’s overall capital allocation increased to €34.3 million when the NAS obtained additional capital funds in September 2024.
According to the report, €33.9 million of this funds is now allocated to new assets and fleet that will solve the problems identified by the internal audit, reports RTE.
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