Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the interests of patient care and local communities are taken into account as part of the upcoming review on the aero medical service pilot programme based at Custume Baracks, Athlone; if all stakeholders will be made part of the consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16583/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There is a significant cost associated with providing emergency aeromedical support (EAS) to emergency services. However, in the Irish context, there has been no existing data to establish what that cost might be or the level of need for such a service.

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 cooperation with my colleague Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, I decided in March 2012 to carry out an EAS trial. The trial involves the Irish Air Corps providing aeromedical support to the HSE NAS, from a base in Custume Barracks, Athlone. The aircraft is operated by the Air Corps, with clinical staffing from the NAS. The objective of the trial is to gather operational data, including costs and clinical outcomes, with a view to agreeing recommendations on the future provision of service.

A review of the trial is being carried out by the Emergency Aeromedical Service Audit and Evaluation Group, comprising representatives from the HSE NAS, the Air Corps and the Departments of Health and Defence. Assessment of the trial will inform future policy direction, and in the event that a decision is made to provide this type of service, how best to proceed operationally.