The National Ambulance Service says it has looked to bolster the number of paramedics working in Clare.
The Service has released a statement in light of a meeting of Clare paramedics onTuesday night regarding the local service.
Affterwards union officials spoke of their concerns, and outlined how on dozens of occasions last month, ambulances or rapid response vehicles were parked up because staff were not in place.
Staff representatives have said industrial action will be considered, if their concerns are not addressed.
Today’s statement says 'short-notice absenteeism' presents managers with challenging issues, particularly when this is unforeseen or when there is little or no noticed.
The Ambulance service says this is monitored, and that the resources can be used in various ways as a result.
Today's statement also acknowledges staff vacancies here, and says recruitment campaigns have been held to address the issues.
The National Ambulance Service Statement reads as follows:
There are vacancies in the Clare area for NAS staff. Recruitment campaigns have been run recently in order to address these issues.
Short notice absenteeism also presents the National Ambulance Service managers with challenging issues in terms of maintaining emergency cover, particularly where absences are unforeseen and presented with little or no notice.
The National Ambulance Service responds to short notice absenteeism in a number of ways including the use of dynamic deployment, various models of resource utilisation and call prioritisation in order to ensure the optimal use of resources in order to provide continuity of service. Absenteeism is actively managed in line with the HSE attendance management policy and is monitored on an ongoing basis.
