Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered subjecting the provision of the air ambulance service to a formal tendering process; if he will outline his liaisons with Air Ambulance Ireland on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33147/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Last year, I received a number of unsolicited submissions about the provision, by the private sector, of dedicated aeromedical support services in the west of Ireland. I also considered the possibility of provision from within existing state resources.

The absence of data for aeromedical support in the Irish context indicated the need for a pilot project, in order to assess the type and extent of service, if any, that might be required to support the National Ambulance Service (NAS) in the west.

I am pleased to announce that, in co-operation with my colleague Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, a pilot has now been put in place to gather this information and it will run for 12 months. The pilot service, based in Custume Barracks, Athlone, which began on 4th June, will allow the HSE to determine how best to provide support to the NAS emergency ambulance service in the region in the longer term and how we can, realistically, improve response and transit times, and improve outcomes, for seriously ill people.