Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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26. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Air Corps air ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46639/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In 2005, the Department of Defence and the Department of Health completed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) which formalised arrangements for the provision of an inter-hospital air ambulance service by the Air Corps. This SLA was renewed in October, 2011. There has been a substantial increase in the use of this service with 108 missions being completed in 2012 compared with 78 in 2011 and 69 in 2010. This year, there have been 87 missions completed up to 31st October last. In addition to the inter-hospital SLA, a twelve-month pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service, supported by the Air Corps, commenced operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone on 4th June last year. This service was established by agreement between my Department and the Department of Health in order 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.

Following a review of the pilot service carried out by an inter agency Audit and Evaluation Group established under the agreement, a Report was submitted for consideration by my colleague, the Minister for Health. Following a request from the Minister for Health, I have agreed to extend the Air Corps' participation in the pilot in order to allow the Minister an opportunity to give consideration to the Report and to examine the options for the implementation of its recommendations.

There are no plans to expand the role of the Air Corps in the provision of Air Ambulance services.