Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne has welcomed remedial works currently underway at Drogheda Ambulance Station, but says the long-term priority must still be the delivery of a new facility for the area.
The Louth and East Meath TD said she has been raising conditions at the existing station for more than a year and is continuing to engage with HSE and National Ambulance Service management over potential sites for a replacement base.
Speaking in response to recent commentary on this issue, Teachta Byrne said.
“Questions I posed to the Minister for Health in June about suitable sites for the proposed new station have now caught the attention of local media. which I welcome however, it’s important to acknowledge the progress made to date to improve the existing station and the ongoing work behind the scenes regarding a new station.
I have been raising this issue in the Dáil for over a year now, after my first visit to the station, where I was genuinely shocked at the very unsafe and unsanitary conditions our local paramedics were working in. My recent visit to the station stood in sharp contrast to this, as agreed remedial works were underway to ensure the existing station is a better place to work for ambulance personnel .
However, let’s make no mistake, a new station in the Drogheda region has to be the ultimate goal. As part of my ongoing engagement, I have met with the IHA regional management, NAS regional management and most recently HSE Estates to tease out the site suitability work that is going on behind the scenes to examine potential and possible sites.
.
I believe that there is an appetite and a recognition that a new station is needed to meet the growing needs of the population of the Drogheda region from various stakeholders. We now need political will from Central Government to ensure this is delivered. I’ll continue to keep working with all the stakeholders involved and give a voice to the people I represent who need this investment.”
