Written answers

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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126. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Air Corps air ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45793/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary defence and security role.  It also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis including the provision of air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE). 

The HSE’s Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is responsible for the co-ordination of all health-related air transport arrangements. In addition to the Air Corps, the Irish Coast Guard and private air ambulance operators also provide air transport services for the HSE.

The Air Corps’ inter-hospital service operates out of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.  This service provides transport for patients and medical teams primarily between hospitals within Ireland and the UK.  To the end of August 2021, the Air Corps have completed a total of 38 inter-hospital missions utilising aircraft from the entire fleet, 28 of which were to the UK, including three priority transfers. 

The Air Corps also operates the Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) Service.  It is a daily, day-time service based out of Custume Barracks, Athlone.  Since the commencement of this service in June 2012, the Air Corps has completed over 3,285 missions with 228 missions completed from 1 January 2021 up to 31 August  2021.   

While there are no plans to change the current operation of the aeromedical services based out of Baldonnel or Custume Barracks, Athlone, there is a project currently ongoing to ensure the sustainability of the EAS service into the future. Representatives from the Air Corps, the Departments of Defence and Health, the National Ambulance Service and the HSE are members of this project.

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