Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the number of missions to date undertaken by the air ambulance at Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55419/12]

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 for Air Corps support to the Health Service Executive National Ambulance Service. The purpose of the pilot is to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated emergency aeromedical support needed to assist 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. Since its inception there have been 101 EAS call-outs undertaken by the Air Corps. A full evaluation of the EAS service will be undertaken by the stakeholders within three months of the end of the pilot programme (June 2013).