Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 434: 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 same is a necessity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2151/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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A consultancy study jointly commissioned by my Department and the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, DHSSPS, on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical service, HEMS, 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 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, my Department 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 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 of 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; air transport of patients from offshore islands to mainland hospitals where the coastguard 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 being put in place by the Air Corps. The Irish Coast Guard will continue to provide services on the same basis as heretofore.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 435: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the continuing delay in establishing an ambulance base in the Mulranny, Achill and Ballycroy areas of 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; her views on this matter; when same will be a priority in practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2152/06]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 441: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the DHSSPS advice in its report on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated HEMS service that its priority at present is the need for further investment to improve the ground ambulance service, when the people of Achill, Mulranny and Ballycroy, County Mayo, will see the benefits of this advice; when this area can realistically expect the essential ambulance base in view of the fact that it has been listed as priority and given that improvements to the ground service have been advised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2158/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 435 and 441 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, my Department 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.