There is a growing demand for healthcare services in this country and a severe shortage of primary care providers in many areas. There is no doubt that community paramedics bridge this gap, providing a vital service in communities across Ireland. A recent study by the National Ambulance Service has shown that 55.6% of patients responded to by community paramedics were discharged to an alternative care pathway by those paramedics. This shows just how important community paramedics are in alleviating the pressure on our hospitals. It is clear that an increased number of calls attended to by community paramedics has the potential to significantly reduce the number presenting at hospital emergency departments and reduce ambulance transport hours. They need support and proper training, however, and that cannot happen until SI 109 of 2000 is amended. Will the Tánaiste ask the Minister for Health to amend SI 109 of 2000, the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (Establishment) Order 2000, to ensure that community paramedics can avail of the proper training?

I welcome the Deputy's raising of this. In fact, he has just outlined an initiative I took as Minister for health in 2000, the establishment of PHECC-----

It still has not happened.

I am talking about then. That was a new development and departure then in terms of professionalisation of first responders. What the Deputy is now asking actually illustrates the progression that has been made over the years. I will talk to the Minister about the research he has outlined. It is very positive, and anything he has suggested that can be done, I think, would be very positive. I will talk to the Minister about the matter.