Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date in the development of a helicopter emergency medical service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21896/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department is finalising a service level agreement with the Department of Defence to formalise arrangements for the future provision of an air ambulance service by the Air Corps. Officials from my Department met recently the Department of Defence to progress the agreement. The draft agreement has also been circulated to the Health Services Executive for comment. It is expected that the agreement will be completed shortly.

A significant helicopter fleet replacement programme has been approved and is being put in place for the Air Corps. Each of the new helicopters will have a specific air ambulance capability and the new fleet will have a far greater flying capacity which will augment the current service.