Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 41: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress she has made in the establishment of an all-Ireland helicopter emergency medical service as recommended by the helicopter emergency medical service feasibility study consultants report which was published on 30 April 2004; if she has completed discussions with other Ministers on the matter; and if there have been any recent meetings held to establish this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5356/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The report of a consultancy study jointly commissioned by my Department and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Northern Ireland, on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical services for the island of Ireland was published last year and is available on my Department's website.

The study concluded that the introduction of a dedicated interhospital transfer service would be appropriate in an all-island context. The study estimated the cost at €12 million capital and €4 million revenue for a single helicopter. The number of missions to be performed was estimated at 400 to 600 annually. Interhospital air ambulance services are provided by the Air Corps and the Irish Coast Guard, subject to the nature of the mission, available aircraft and other operational commitments. Most patient transfers are airport to airport with onward transfer by land ambulance.

My Department and the Department of Defence are finalising a service level agreement to formalise arrangements for the future provision of an air ambulance service by the Aer Corps. A significant helicopter fleet replacement programme has recently been approved and is being put in place for the Air Corps. Each of the new helicopters will have a specific air ambulance capability. The new fleet will also have a far greater flying capacity than is available. In addition, my Department has reached agreement with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources that the Irish Coast Guard will continue to provide air ambulance services on the same basis as heretofore.

My Department is advised that plans are being developed within the private sector for the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical service, primarily in an interhospital transfer role and with a view to the service becoming operational at an early date. My Department is continuing to monitor developments in this regard.