Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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19. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Air Corps in providing air ambulance services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20056/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Air Corps currently plays a significant role in support of the HSE through the provision of an emergency inter-hospital transfer service throughout the country and to the United Kingdom. It also supports the HSE’s pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service which operates out of Custume Barracks, Athlone.

In 2005, the Department of Defence and the Department of Health completed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) which formalised arrangements for the provision of the inter-hospital air ambulance service by the Air Corps. This SLA was renewed in October, 2011 and provides for inter-hospital transfer by air for patients with medical conditions that require urgent treatment at a hospital within Ireland or in the UK. There has been a substantial increase in the use of this service with 102 inter-hospital missions being completed in 2013 and 108 in 2012.

In addition, a twelve-month pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service, supported by the Air Corps, commenced operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone on 4 June 2012. 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 focused on certain types of patient, particularly on the requirements of the HSE Clinical Care Programmes such as Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stroke.

A full evaluation of the service was undertaken by an inter-agency 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 and a Working Group, chaired by the Department of Health, has been established to examine options for the provision of an EAS service into the future. The Group has met on four occasions and I understand that a further meeting is to be held later this month. Whilst the initial 12 month pilot period has expired, I have agreed to extend the Air Corps’ participation in order for the Working Group to complete its work.