Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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27. To ask the Minister for Defence when the review of the Air Corps air ambulance service will be published. [29114/13]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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44. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans, if any, to expand the role of the Air Corps air ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29072/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 44 together.

On June 4^th last year a twelve-month pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service, supported by the Air Corps, commenced operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. The service was established by agreement between my Department and the Department of Health to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated emergency aeromedical support needed to assist the National Ambulance Service, primarily 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.

A review of the pilot service is currently being finalised by an Audit and Evaluation Group established under the agreement. A Report, with recommendations, will be submitted for consideration by my colleague, the Minister for Health, shortly. Following a recent request from the Minister for Health, I have agreed to extend the Air Corps' participation in the pilot for a period of up to three months in order to allow him an opportunity to give consideration to the Report.

The Air Corps will continue to operate the EAS service during the period of the extension pending consideration by the Minister for Health of the recommendations contained in the Report.