Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 108: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the paramedic grade in the ambulance service will be rolled out nationally to provide this essential service; her views on whether sufficient persons are qualified to operate this system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37019/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The funding required to facilitate the development and rollout of the advanced paramedic training programme has been provided in line with proposals set out by the Health Service Executive and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. The National Ambulance Training School, NATS, which operates under the auspices of the HSE, in conjunction with University College Dublin, is providing training for advanced paramedic candidates on behalf of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. Each course at the moment comprises 16 students and the first cohort completed their training in October 2005. Students from the second course are currently undergoing their field internship and will complete their training in December 2005. It is proposed to train approximately 50 additional advanced paramedics in 2006. The operational element of the programme is to commence in early 2006.

The deployment and utilisation of the advanced paramedics is a matter for the Health Service Executive and accordingly, the Department of Health and Children has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 109: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the helicopter emergency medical service will be introduced to persons here in view of the continuing loss of life and disabilities due to the lack of same; her views on whether this is a necessity (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37020/05]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress she had 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 the relevant Departments on the matter; if recent meetings have been held regarding establishing this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37021/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.

The report referred to by the Deputy is that of a consultancy study jointly commissioned by the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, DHSSPS, in Northern Ireland on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical services, HEMS, for the island of Ireland. The report was published last year and is available on the Department of Health and Children's website. The study concluded that the introduction of a dedicated inter-hospital air ambulance service would be appropriate in an all-island context. In considering the report, the DHSSPS advised that its priority at present is the need for further investment to improve the ground ambulance service.

On foot of the report the Department of Health and Children had detailed discussions with the Department of Defence regarding the future provision of air ambulance services by the Air Corps. Arising from these discussions, a detailed service level agreement has recently been prepared and signed. The signatories to the agreement are the Department of Defence, the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive, the Defence Forces and the Air Corps.

The agreement sets out the range services to be provided by the Air Corps, specifically: inter-hospital transfer for spinal and serious injury and illness; air transport of neonates requiring immediate medical intervention in Ireland; air transport of patients requiring emergency organ transplant in the UK; air transport of organ harvest teams within Ireland; and air transport of patients from offshore islands to mainland hospitals where the Coast Guard service is not available.

A steering group comprising representation from each the signatories to the service level agreement has been established. The group will monitor the operation of the agreement and will amend, if necessary, the provisions of the agreement to take account of service developments, including the new fleet replacement programme currently being put in place by the Air Corps. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has confirmed that the Irish Coast Guard will continue to provide services on the same basis as currently delivered.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 111: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the ambulance response time for persons living in remote areas; the target time for transfer of casualties from a specified remote area to hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37022/05]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 113: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the continuing delay in establishing an ambulance base in Mulranny, Achill and Ballycroy areas of County Mayo; if her attention has been drawn to the dangerous situation whereby the health of persons residing in these areas is at a serious risk due to the unacceptable time lapse that exists between when an ambulance is called and when it arrives; when this project will be undertaken; her views on this matter; when same will be a priority in practice (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37024/05]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 114: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the residents of Achill, Mulranny and Ballycroy, County Mayo will see the benefits of advice (details supplied); when this area can realistically expect this essential ambulance base; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37025/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 113 and 114 together.

The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department of Health and Children has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.