The functions of the Secretary in relation to ambulance services include the following—
(a) to advise the Minister on the operation of this Act; and
(b) to develop policies and plans with respect to ambulance services; and
(c) to fund ambulance services and to monitor, evaluate and review those ambulance services; and
(d) to arrange for the provision of education and training associated with ambulance and related services; and
S. 9(e) substituted by No. 52/2017 s. 70.
(e) to ensure that ambulance services—
(i) provide safe, patient-centred and appropriate services; and
(ii) foster continuous improvement in the quality and safety of the care and services they provide; and
(f) to collect and analyse data to enable the Secretary to perform the Secretary's functions under this or any other Act; and
(g) in consultation with ambulance services, to develop criteria or measures that enable comparisons to be made between the performance of ambulance services.