Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 162: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 1 March 2005, if the study has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23474/05]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 165: 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 HEMS feasibility study consultants report (details supplied); if she has completed discussions with other Departments on the matter; if there has been any recent meeting held about establishing this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23484/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The report referred to by the Deputy is that of a consultancy study jointly commissioned by my Department and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Belfast, the DHSSPS, on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical service, HEMS, for the island of Ireland. It was published last year and is available on my Department's website. The study concluded that the introduction of a dedicated inter-hospital air ambulance service would be appropriate in an all-island context.

My Department is currently 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 with the Department of Defence to progress the agreement. The draft agreement has also been circulated to the Health Service 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.