Louth TD renews call for new Drogheda ambulance station

Louth Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne has renewed calls for a new ambulance station in Drogheda, citing deplorable and unsafe conditions in the current ambulance station. 

Among the many issues the paramedics say they have had to contend with are subsidence, the presence of mould, the lack of security on site and paramedics having no space to rest on their breaks.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Byrne said: “action is urgently needed on behalf of the 14 personnel currently based there.

"I've asked for the Minister to undertake an inspection of this station herself and I'd appreciate if that's brought back to her. I'd ask for her to personally keep an eye on whether these works will be carried out as soon as necessary. 

"I don't understand why we're waiting on a report that was initiated four years ago to decide if remedial works are needed on a roof this year when it has been falling down for four years and there's evident signs of major subsidence with cracks in the walls.

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"I did ask already that the Minister engage with the National Ambulance Services on a potential new site for this station. This was mooted a few years ago, there was a couple of false dawns, but to date there is no concrete confirmation that a new site will be provided. We're flushing money down the toilet in my view. I visited this depot, it's in a severe state of disrepair and it's not fit for purpose to house the frontline services that's needed.

“The Minister can’t commit to providing a new site, but she can seek clarity from the National Ambulance Service as to where they are on that issue. 

“I intend to pursue this issue until it is fully resolved."