Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the functions and areas that are covered by the new Air Ambulance Service that is operating from Baldonnel Roger Casement Aerodrome; his plans to extend this service; if he will confirm that this service is also available for emergency situations that may arise in Dublin City Centre and particularly in Dublin West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39277/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A twelve-month pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service was established by agreement between my Department and the Department of Health in support of the Health Service Executive National Ambulance Service. The purpose of the pilot is to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated EAS needed to support the National Ambulance Service in the west of Ireland for certain types of patient, particularly in light of the requirements of the HSE Clinical Care Programmes such as Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stroke. The service commenced on 4 June 2012 and it is operated by the Air Corps out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. A full evaluation of the EAS service will be undertaken by the stakeholders three months prior to the end of the pilot. There are no plans at present to extend this service.