1148. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that paramedics with the National Ambulance Service based in Dooradoyle, Limerick, intend to go on strike on 12 May 2026; her plans to intervene to attempt to resolve this dispute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32868/26]

The HSE and the Department of Health have engaged extensively, constructively and in good faith with staff representatives for more than two years to address the issues raised in the National Ambulance Service. That engagement has taken place through the State’s established industrial relations machinery, including the WRC and the Labour Court, and within the framework of the Public Service Agreement.

A comprehensive and independently brokered set of proposals emerged from that process. These included significant pay improvements for staff - between 3% and 14% - on top of the 9.25% pay increases already provided for under the Public Service Agreement. Crucially, those pay increases were linked to agreed reforms. The HSE and my Department accepted the proposals, and the subsequent Labour Court recommendation, in full, and both SIPTU and UNITE recommended them to their members at the time. While union leadership initially endorsed the proposals and recommended them to members, they were subsequently rejected in a ballot. The difficulty is that they are now seeking to secure all the pay increases while resisting delivery of the associated reforms, which is not consistent with how these matters were independently resolved through the State’s industrial relations framework.

Those reforms are essential because they deliver real benefits for patients and service delivery, including faster response times, more ambulances available through modern crewing arrangements, greater flexibility across the service, and the ability to treat more patients safely in the most appropriate setting.

My Department remain open to further engagement through the State’s industrial relations machinery to find a resolution to this matter. We encourage all parties to engage in this process. However, as this is an ongoing industrial relations dispute, it would not be appropriate for me to provide further comment at this time.