asked the Minister for Health the total amount paid for the lease of helicopters and to whom it was paid during the last five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lease of Helicopters.
7.
A helicopter ambulance service is provided by the Army Air Corps and is availed of by health authorities for the movement of patients, mainly those suffering from head or spinal injuries whose condition might be adversely affected by surface transport. The charges for this service are paid by the health authorities to the Department of Defence. The total amounts so paid in each of the past five years were approximately: 1965-66, £3,700; 1966-67, £7,052; 1967-68, £6,529; 1968-69, £5,449; 1969-70, £7,993 (the accounts for the current year have not yet been fully discharged).
I am not aware of any payment being made by health authorities for any other helicopter ambulance service during the period in question.
Could the Minister say what is the rate per mile?
I have not got that information.