Paramedics no longer allowed to keep respond cars at their own homes

Ellen O'Donoghue

Paramedics have been informed they are no longer allowed to keep their respond car parked at their own homes.

This is because to do so would now be considered a Benefit in Kind, and the workers should be paying extra tax, according to C103.

The rule, reportedly signed off last Friday, means paramedics would have to leave their vehicles at a central location after their shift and drive home in their own cars, even if they are on call the next day.

Pat Buckley, Sinn Féin TD for Cork East, called the policy "bonkers."

Speaking to Patricia Messinger on C103, he explained how this impacts emergency response times.

"If there's a call in the middle of the night, instead of responding immediately, the paramedic has to drive to the central location, pick up the vehicle, and then head to the emergency. It’s penny wise, pound foolish," he said.

Mr Buckley also pointed out that paramedics often go above and beyond, even using their vehicles off-duty to help in emergencies.

The policy, he fears, will not only discourage people from joining the National Ambulance Service but could also push current paramedics to reconsider their roles.

Mr Buckley told C103 this is not just a local issue. If the directive comes from Revenue, it is a nationwide problem.

He said following changes to the ambulance service in 2013, locals have relied heavily on paramedics who go the extra mile.