Shock as HSE pulls plug on long-awaited ambulance bay

In a shocking blow to the people of North Offaly, the HSE has announced that all of the €1.1 million in funding for the long-awaited ambulance bay in Edenderry is being pulled. Last July, Offaly County Council granted permission for an ambulance base on a site in Monasteroris, a development which would include a Kare centre, community centre and a MIDOC centre. Shortly afterwards the HSE confirmed that funding was available. But now, due to savage health budget cutbacks, that funding is gone. 'Due to current budget constraints, the capital funding for the ambulance station has been withdrawn until such time there is an improvement in national economic circumstances,' said the statement released by the HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster late yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. 'The funding in principle (was) provided for the capital project only, and in any event it would have been necessary to secure additional funding for the purchase of a new emergency ambulance as well as the running costs associated with such a facility, an increase in staffing numbers to facilitate the recruitment, training and deployment of additional paramedics,' finished the statement. Local councillors, who have been fighting for an ambulance bay for two decades, were devastated by the news when it was officially confirmed yesterday and are now calling on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to guarantee that the funding will be made available next year. 'It"s a shot out of the blue for us, we"re devastated by the news,' said Fianna Fáil Cllr John Quinlan. 'I don"t understand what the HSE means by "the funding in principal". We were told that the money was ring-fenced by Robert Morton the Chief Amublance Officer. I also question why the HSE are saying that there is no ambulance, we were told there is an ambulance waiting in Tullamore.' Cllr Quinlan also pointed out that the money was ring-fenced in last year"s budget, but is now going towards the HSE budget for this year. Cllr Noel Cribbin said the councillors were 'gutted' as they had worked very hard in bringing the bay to Edenderry. 'Three weeks ago, local representatives met with Junior Minister John Moloney to see could he do anything for us. We were told the money was ring-fenced, now they (the HSE) are saying the money won"t be spent this year. We want assurances from the Taoiseach that the HSE will give us the money next year again.' 'It"s extremely annoying and disappointing,' added Cllr Noel Bourke. Last November, the Chief Ambulance Officer for the Midlands, Robert Morton, wrote a letter to Edenderry Town Council, confirming that funding was ring-fenced 'at this time'. He blamed the delay in the project"s commencement on continuing legal negotiations between the HSE and the original owners of the site. Councillors at that meeting queried his phase 'at this time' and demanded an in committee meeting with Mr Morton, which did take place. The HSE statement went on to say that the National Ambulance Service Management in the Midlands will continue to engage with any interested party with a view to bringing about improved services in the Edenderry area. Cllr Fergus McDonnell said he was 'absolutely gutted' by the news and said the town was now on its knees with unemployment through the roof.