Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
63. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated cost of providing a 24-hour air ambulance service through the Air Corps, in terms of capital and current spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32059/18]
View answerThe Air Corps carries out a broad range of services in accordance with its primary 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 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 continues to provide considerable support to the HSE both in the area of inter-hospital transfers and Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service. Current capacity constraints have however impacted on the Air Corps’ ability to provide night-time unscheduled inter-hospital service to the HSE.
I understand that the HSE has recently awarded a two year contract for the provision of an air ambulance service to transfer Priority 1 paediatric transplant patients to the UK between 7pm and 7.30am.
