Speaking at the launch of the ambulances on Saturday at the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Co. Galway, Minister Ó Cuív drew attention to the importance of the ambulances in serving disadvantaged communities.

"The three ambulances that we are launching today will not simply improve people’s quality of life; they will go one step further in that they will actually save lives. I cannot overstate the importance of this. For residents of Old Leighlin in Carlow, Carronhill in Sligo and Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon, the three community ambulances outside could one day mean the difference between life and death,".

The Minister also praised the members of the Irish Red Cross for their immense contribution to their local communities, commenting: "These volunteers know that it is not a matter of "sacrificing" their time, but rather, investing it in the community."

The three ambulances were substantially grant-aided by state funding provided by the CLÁR programme, run by the Dept of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with the balance of funds raised by Irish Red Cross members themselves in their own local communities. The Mountain Rescue Communications Vehicle was co-funded by the Irish Red Cross, the Irish Coast Guard and local members of the Sligo-Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team and will be deployed to the Sligo-Leitrim area.

Irish Red Cross Vice-Chairman, Tony Lawlor, who also spoke at the launch thanked Minister Ó Cuív and his department for their support. Mr Lawlor said: "These new ambulances will be a great asset to the Irish Red Cross branches in Carlow, Roscommon and Sligo.

We are very grateful to Minister Ó Cuív for his generous funding which will help to ensure that the Irish Red Cross remains active in these rural communities and continues to provide help to those in need."

The four new vehicles launched at the weekend mark the beginning of the end of a seven-year programme of complete replacement of Irish Red Cross ambulances and the acquisition of new ambulances, off-road vehicles, mobile command and control units, and wheelchair-accessible buses, totalling some 90 vehicles. Mr Lawlor said that this marked a significant investment by the organisation which is made up of volunteers around the country.

Notes for Editor

1. The Irish Red Cross has invested nearly Euro 6.5 million in upgrading and expanding its ambulance fleet since its renewal programme got underway around the country in 2002.
2. Some 90 vehicles including traditional ambulances, off-road ambulances, mobile command and control centres, minibuses and wheelchair-adaptable minibuses have been made available to communities throughout Ireland by the Irish Red Cross which is a voluntary organisation.
3. The investment programme was implemented to help meet the needs of the new national plan to deal with emergencies that arise – the Framework for Major Emergency Management - which recognises the role of the Irish Red Cross alongside the statutory emergency services and other bodies.The ambulance replacement programme will increase the ability of the Irish Red Cross to deal with new kinds of emergencies that require faster responses and the ability to reach more remote areas, by introducing – for the first time – mobile command and control units in addition to its traditional ambulances, minibuses, wheelchair-adapted minibuses and off-road vehicles.
4. The Irish Red Cross is the most widely recognised provider of First Aid training in Ireland.[1] Training can be arranged on www.RedCrossTraining.ie or by calling 1890 502 502.
5. The Irish Red Cross is a leading provider of immediate cardiac care and training through an extensive programme of defibrillator provision to every county in Ireland. Defibrillators are small electric devices that can shock a casualty in cardiac arrest.
6. The Irish Red Cross is a voluntary organisation of more than 4,000 members in 145 branches in every county in Ireland.
7. The Irish Red Cross is part of the largest voluntary organisation in the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which has 97 million volunteers in 187 countries.
8. Through its founder and its own achievements, the Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement has won the Nobel Peace Prize more often than any other single entity – four times in total.
9. In 2009 both the Irish Red Cross and its international affiliates celebrates their founding anniversaries, with 70 years of the Red Cross in Ireland and 150 years of action to save lives worldwide.