Proposal to co-locate Eden ambulance in fire station

Plans to share Edenderry's fire station with ambulance personnel currently based in temporary facilities at Ofalia House have been proposed. A letter from Director of the HSE's National Ambulance Service (NAS) Robert Morton, seen by the Offaly Independent, confirms the organisation has had discussions with the council regarding sharing the facilities and furthermore has advanced a proposal to identify how any costs incurred by the local authority would be addressed by the HSE. However yesterday (Thursday) a HSE statement contradicted this, saying that the "HSE National Ambulance Service has currently no plans to remove the existing service from its present location at Edenderry". The letter seen by the Offaly Independent was a response to a parliamentary question asked by Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen regarding plans to upgrade Edenderry's ambulance service station. Minister for Health James Reilly requested that the HSE respond to the question. "In the context of the current economic climate it is clear that expectations must be adjusted and existing State capital assets must be fully optimised," the letter said. "In this regard, NAS are of the view that the facilities at the new purpose built fire station are adequate and can meet the critical needs of both services for the foreseeable future." A council spokesperson could not be reached for comment at time of going to press.