The provision of an air ambulance service for emergency cases which cannot be safely conveyed by road ambulance continues to be provided by the Air Corps and the marine search and rescue helicopter service of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
The possible introduction of a dedicated air ambulance service is being examined at present with a view to developing a policy position in the context of pre-hospital care.
The Pre-hospital Emergency Care Council PHECC at my request, is presently considering the issue, including the need for targeted research on the use of helicopter emergency medical services. I have received a submission from the PHECC on the nature and extent of the study or research which needs to be carried out in this regard. This submission is currently being examined by my Department. In addition the issue is being examined in the context of North-South co-operation by a working group on emergency planning and pre-hospital care established on foot of the Good Friday Agreement.