119. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Health whether additional ambulance resources or bases are planned for Mayo to address long travel distances and rural geography; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44124/26]

This year's budget for the National Ambulance Service (NAS) includes €20m for new service developments, which will be focused on building frontline emergency capacity to improve response times and further developing and expanding intermediate care and alternative care pathway services for patients.

Planned developments for Co Mayo in 2026 include the appointment of two Hospital Ambulance Liaison Supervisor (HALS) posts at Mayo University Hospital to facilitate the timely handover of patients to the hospital Emergency Department. In addition, the NAS plans to recruit 6 new paramedic posts at Castlebar Ambulance Station to improve emergency response performance. There are also plans for 6 new paramedic posts to be based at Belmullet ambulance base to address identified rural geographic challenges.

In addition, a new Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), which will serve the West and North West of the country and will operate out of Sligo airport, is scheduled to come on stream shortly.