Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator McFadden for raising this important matter. The emergency aeromedical support, EAS, service based in Custume Barracks in Athlone is an important service provided by the Air Corps. Notwithstanding the well-documented ongoing HR challenges in the Air Corps, particularly the recruitment and retention of pilots, the EAS service has been delivered without interruption since it was put in place by the Fine Gael-led Government in 2012. I have prioritised this service and will continue to do so into the future.

I have received military advice that the Air Corps will not be in a position to accept EAS taskings from the National Ambulance Service for four days per month for a period of four months, from November to February 2020.That is regrettable but necessary for safety and governance reasons. During this time there will be a training surge to produce a new cohort of aircraft commanders for the emergency aeromedical service, EAS. This will ensure the long-term viability of the service provided by the Air Corps.

The safety of personnel, HSE staff and patients is paramount to me and our foremost shared priority. Our focus is on returning the EAS to full capacity from the end of February 2020. During the 16 days when the Air Corps will not accept taskings, the Irish Coast Guard will provide reserve cover for the National Ambulance Service. This is in line with the Government's decision in 2015 to establish the emergency aeromedical service. The Irish Community Rapid Response, ICRR, emergency medical service has agreed to provide additional cover using a second helicopter which will be based in Roscommon on the days when the Air Corps will not be in a position to accept taskings for the EAS. The ICRR will also continue to be available in the south of the country. I am focused on returning the EAS to a full service and full capacity. A number of measures are being pursued, including the reintroduction of the service commitment scheme for pilots, the recommissioning of former Air Corps pilots and the training of junior pilots during that time.

The emergency aeromedical service provided by the Air Corps has completed more than 2,600 missions since it commenced operations in 2012. I pay tribute to the professional and effective service provided by Air Corps personnel. I acknowledge the support of the Irish Coast Guard and the ICRR during this challenging period. The shared priority is to provide the best available service using all available resources during the four days in each month when the Air Corps will not be available for EAS taskings. This interruption is regrettable but necessary, as I stated, from a safety and governance perspective. The emergency aeromedical service operated by the Air Corps will continue. It is not being wound down. The service will continue to be provided by the Air Corps.