HSE Spent Over €13M On Private Ambulance Services Last Year, According to Freedom Of Information Figures

Tuesday, 21 June 2022 08:57

By Caoimhe Harney

The figure compares to €9.9M spent in 2020.

The HSE spent €13.6 million on private ambulance services last year.

According to freedom of information figures, it's a 37% increase on the previous year.

The HSE's National Ambulance Service mainly deals with emergency calls.

Private ambulance are mainly used by hospital groups to transport patients who are less seriously ill.

In 2020, €9.9 million was spent on private ambulance services by HSE hospitals - rising to just under €13.6 million last year.

Lifeline Ambulance Service got €4.3 million in 2021 - the highest amount.

The HSE says the big difference in expenditure between 2020 and 2021 was down to Covid-19.

It also said private providers helped with testing and vaccination.

David Hall is its chief executive - he says private providers are needed:

More from National News

Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
New Figures From CSO Reveal How Much International Protection Applicants Earn Compared To Average Worker In Ireland

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Jury Delivers Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity Verdict In Ballyfin Demesne Strangling Case

31-year-old Henry McGowan, from Brooklyn, New York, was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled his father to death at the 5-star hotel.