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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

999 response failure in Dublin West

Summary

Deputy Paul Donnelly described a serious case where repeated 999 calls for a vulnerable disabled person did not get a response. The Tánaiste said he would raise the specific incident with the Minister for Justice and the Commissioner and seek a full report.

Over the past number of months, I raised the issue of the lack of gardaí in Dublin west, highlighting serious problems people in my constituency have in getting a response when they call 999. Last week, I had to intervene and make a direct call to senior members of the Garda after numerous calls to 999 failed to get a response. At 10.30 a.m., a call was made to 999 in relation to a vulnerable disabled person living alone. His service manager was worried because there was no response to knocks on the door or calls. He called 999 and there was no response. Throughout the day, the local GP made a 999 call and there were no gardaí available. A public health nurse made 999 calls - no gardaí available. The service manager called multiple times and there were still no gardaí available. Local councillor Angela Donnelly made a call and no garda was available. Thankfully, at 5.30 p.m., a unit was released in Blanchardstown to go to that person's house. That was seven hours later. It is an absolutely shocking response.

Comment on this

I will raise that specific case. Will the Deputy provide the information to me? I will raise it with the Minister for Justice and the Commissioner because the Deputy said that on a series of occasions, 999 was rung and there was no response.

Comment on this

There was no unit available.

Comment on this

The Deputy said there was no response to the 999 call.

Comment on this

A response is somebody going to the person's door.

Comment on this

I got the impression there was no response at all in the Deputy's presentation. We can seek a full report from the Minister through the Commissioner in response to this specific case.

Comment on this