Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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713. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the loss of the 24-7 Air Corps air transport service for the national aero medical co-ordination centre to transport Irish children awaiting transplants to the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6873/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The HSE’s Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is responsible for the co-ordination of transport arrangements for paediatric organ transplant transfers to the UK. Air transport for these patients is currently provided in three ways: Air Corps fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft; Irish Coast Guard rotor-wing aircraft; and private air ambulance providers. As one of the components of the Defence Forces, the Air Corps contributes to all roles assigned by Government including responsibilities relating to the provision of Aid to the Civil Power and maritime security tasks. Like other elements of the Defence Forces, the Air Corps also undertakes other roles in accordance with agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

In this context, the Department of Defence has an SLA with the Department of Health and the HSE for the Air Corps to use its fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to transport patients and medical teams between hospitals within Ireland and abroad, on an as available basis. In accordance with the SLA, this availability is dependent upon the availability of suitable aircraft, the availability of flying crews and the suitability of weather conditions. The terms of the SLA do not provide for the Air Corps to deliver a dedicated, 24/7 transport service. This approach was maintained in the White Paper on Defence (2015) which stated that the Air Corps will continue to provide an emergency inter-hospital transfer service in support of the HSE on an as available basis. This means that fixed or rotary wing aircraft are not required to be on standby for this purpose. However, if such aircraft and personnel are available when requested for a mission, they can be deployed.

I can confirm that the level of availability of Air Corps aircraft for inter-hospital transfer tasks has reduced. This is largely because the Air Corp has experienced retirements of highly experienced personnel which is outstripping the recruitment and training of replacement personnel. This has led to a shortage of experienced pilots which has reduced the number of available flying crews. Due to these crew shortages, aircraft availability for the inter-hospital air ambulance service is reduced. Every effort is being made to address these personnel shortages faced by the Air Corps. A plan is in place, which it is currently working through, to increase the number of pliots. There are 28 cadets, in 3 classes, undergoing the various stages of the Air Corps cadetship to become pilots. However, this will only yield results in the medium term.

My officials will continue to keep the Department of Health and the HSE fully informed of the situation in the Air Corps so that the HSEs Aeromedical Desk can ensure the arrangements they have for the transport service are as robust as possible.

I can assure the Deputy that the Air Corps will continue to provide as much support for emergency inter-hospital transfers as possible, having regard to available capabilities and its primary responsibilities.