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Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2022

Thursday, 16 June 2022

Ceisteanna (490)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

490. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the level of funding that he is providing to an organisation (details supplied) per annum; if he intends to improve the situation in view of the work being carried out by the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31537/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Ambulance Service, encompassing the Emergency Aeromedical Service, operates the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). The service operates in conjunction with the Irish Air Corps from Custume Barracks, Athlone and the charity funded HEMS operated by the Irish Community Air Ambulance (ICAA). The Irish Coast Guard provides additional support on an as available basis.

The ICAA is a charity funded HEMS, which has operated since July 2019 under a service level agreement with the HSE. Under this agreement the ICAA committed to fund all maintenance, repairs, fuel and other expenses incurred in the provision of the transportation element of the HEMS, while the NAS committed to providing the clinical staff and all medical consumables.

In early March of this year ICAA advised that it was experiencing financial difficulties. In order to provide funding to ensure the operation of the HEMS service, it was necessary that the issue of State Aid was addressed with the European Commission.

The Commission gave approval on 11 May to the establishment of a scheme under the COVID-19 Temporary Framework for State Aid to safeguard the provision of charity-funded HEMS services. This Framework provides that temporary limited amounts of aid may be allocated to undertakings experiencing liquidity difficulties due to the COVID pandemic. The HSE is now administering the scheme and is engaging with ICAA regarding the ongoing provision of funding.

Separately, the HSE has commenced a procurement process to ensure the ongoing provision of HEMS in the South-West of the country on a long-term sustainable basis. This procurement process is ongoing.

The Temporary Framework Scheme will ensure that the HEMS service is secured until the outcome of the HSE’s procurement process is concluded.

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