Written answers
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Ambulance Service
8:00 pm
Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1048: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the progress made to date in relation to a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1367/12]
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The discussions that took place in January 2011 related to an Aero Medical Pilot Scheme for the West Clare area. The pilot scheme was to identify suitable landing sites in that area from which air ambulance transfers could take place for critical patients. The current helicopter craft in use by the Irish Coast Guard (an S61 model) requires certification relating to specific landing sites to enable it to carry out such missions. The pilot scheme highlighted the very sizeable degree of work and cost involved in the project.
However, a new Coast Guard helicopter contract is now in place and provides for a new generation of helicopters, a S92 model, entering service. The S92 aircraft, the first of which will be based in Shannon later this year, will be fully certified from the outset to allow it to undertake the air ambulance services envisaged.
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