asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of the proposed 24 hour emergency helicopter service; and whether he believes it will meet the needs of residents on off-shore islands on the west coast.
Written Answers. - Emergency Helicopter Service.
128.
A helicopter will be on 24 hour standby at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, County Dublin, when the Dauphin aircraft become fully operational in late 1987. It is intended that this service will respond to search and rescue and air ambulance requests from all locations.
129.
asked the Minister for Defence the estimated cost of basing a 24 hour emergency helicopter service at Galway military barracks to service western off-shore islands; and if he will give details of installations and personnel required to support such a service.
Having regard to, among other things, existing operational commitments and a shortage of trained personnel, it is not possible to consider basing a 24 hour emergency helicopter service at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Galway, to service western off-shore is .
While no costing of such a service has been carried out, it would entail the assignment of three aircraft to guarantee 24 hour, all year round availability, the allocation of supporting technical and administrative personnel, and the provision of hangarage and stores.