As the Deputy may be aware, in September 2022, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) commenced a pilot project involving the transportation of certain patients to Mallow General Hospital (MGH) for treatment rather than patients being directly conveyed to a hospital emergency department. The pilot project operated according to strict clinical and other criteria having to be met before patients were transported to MGH. I am advised by the NAS that the pilot was successful and that this alternative care pathway is now in operation on a permanent basis. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter with any further information it may have.