Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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99. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of missions to date the emergency aeromedical service has carried out since its launch; the number of these missions that were in County Westmeath and County Longford; when the service will be made permanent; if night-time flying is being considered for the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21043/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In June 2012 a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed between my Department and the Department of Health in relation to Air Corps’ participation in a pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. From the commencement of the pilot EAS service until 24 May 2015 the Air Corps has completed a total of 998 missions of which 68 were from Co. Westmeath and 50 were from Co. Longford.

A Working Group, set up by the Minister for Health to consider how best to provide a permanent EAS service, has completed its work and a report has been submitted to the Minister for Health. The Air Corps will continue to operate the pilot service while the report is being considered and a decision taken on a permanent service. Expanding the Air Corps’ current operation of this service to include night-time flying is not being considered.