Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on discussions regarding an air ambulance service for the west Clare area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1248/11]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Discussions are taking place between the Coast Guard, the HSE and the Irish Aviation Authority regarding the possibility of an 'aeromedical' trial being undertaken in the West Clare area, whereby Coast Guard helicopters might be deployed in certain life critical circumstances to assist the national HSE ambulance service. It is hoped that the trial might commence in mid-2011.

However, it is not intended that the Coast Guard will provide a normal full-time air ambulance service, known as a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). Under HEMS, dedicated helicopters are held on standby to deploy doctors or paramedics to treat or recover sick and injured people in response to emergency calls.

The Department maintains Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters on permanent readiness at four bases for maritime emergency response, including two on the west coast in Shannon and Sligo. These helicopters are principally employed for marine emergencies but they are occasionally used for land based rescue tasks where other rescue agencies require assistance, as recently witnessed during the spell of severe weather, and in remote areas where the distance to hospital and a long ambulance journey would be a significant threat to a patient. However, the Coast Guard could not support a normal HEMS service with its SAR helicopters as this would reduce their availability for their primary task of providing helicopter marine emergency services on our coasts and waters.

This trial will be subject to a review by both the HSE and the Coast Guard to consider its effectiveness and value. It is envisaged at this time that the additional flying hours on the Shannon Coast Guard helicopter can be accommodated within this machine's current monthly training and operational flying allowance. If the West Clare trial is successful it is hoped to extend the service to other areas along the west coast.