Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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22. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the emergency aeromedical support service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52681/13]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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27. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of missions performed by the emergency aeromedical support service to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52682/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 27 together.

There are no plans to expand the role of the Air Corps in the provision of Air Ambulance services. As the Deputy will be aware, a twelve-month pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service, supported by the Air Corps, commenced operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone on 4^th June last year. This pilot 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. The assessment focussed on certain types of patient, particularly on the requirements of the HSE Clinical Care Programmes, such as for Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stroke.

A full evaluation of the Service was undertaken by an inter-service Audit and Evaluation Group, and in June 2013, a Report was submitted to the Minister for Health for his consideration. The Minister for Health has accepted the Report’s recommendations including for the establishment of a permanent service. The Minister has asked that his Department establish a Working Group to examine options for the provision of an EAS service into the future. While the 12 month pilot period expired on 3^rd June 2013, I have agreed to extend the Air Corps’ participation in order for the Evaluation Report to be considered and for the Working Group to complete its work.

There have been 490 missions completed by the EAS service up to the end of November 2013.