9 Functions of the Secretary 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 (e) to encourage safety and improvement in the quality of services provided by ambulance services; 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.