Rapid housing development and poor signage in new estates are delaying the response times of emergency services and potentially putting lives at risk, a senior ambulance officer claimed today.
Ireland's housing boom has meant residential estates are being constructed faster than authorities can update local maps.
Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Robert Morton said officers were being forced to negotiate poorly sign-posted and badly numbered new developments.
The service is calling on local authorities to introduce site maps at new estates and are urging residents to ensure house numbers are clearly visible.
"Many of the developments are going up so quickly that planning departments are struggling to cope with them, so we're not getting the maps as quickly as the housing developments go up," said Mr Morton.
"It has the potential [to put lives at risk]," he said. "Five minutes delay can mean the difference between life and death."
Mr Morton said ambulance crews were first learning of new estates when they received emergency calls. Many of these developments lacked proper street signage and further delayed response times.
"In particular this is a problem in the commuter belt counties, where development is most rapid, from Drogheda and Dundalk right down to Gorey," he said. "There have been a number of reports of difficulties."
Mr Morton said the ambulance service was calling on local authorities to introduce standard guidelines for residential developments, with a site map placed at entrances and clear signage erected detailing names of estates.
Residents are also being urged to number their houses to make it easier for emergency service personnel.