Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Minister for Defence the progress on consideration of the report for the Emergency Aeromedical Support Service Establishment Group; when it is envisaged that a decision will be made arising from the contents of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21845/15]

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 the Air Corps' participation in a pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone.

The purpose of the pilot service was to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated aeromedical support needed to assist the National Ambulance Service, primarily in the west of Ireland for certain types of patients. The pilot focused on the requirements of the HSE Clinical Care Programmes, such as Acute Coronary Care and Stroke.

In 2014, a Working Group, chaired by the Department of Health and also comprising representatives from my Department, the HSE and the Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland, was established to examine options for the establishment of a permanent EAS service into the future.

The report of the Working Group has been submitted to the Minister for Health. Ultimately a Government decision will be required to provide for the permanent establishment of a service, including funding arrangements, but in the meantime my Department has agreed to extend the Air Corps' role in the pilot service while the report is being considered.