Air Ambulance service to remain at Custume Barracks: Tánaiste
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris has confirmed that the air ambulance service is to remain permanently based at Custume Barracks in Athlone.
The Tánaiste made his comments during the official opening of a new €1.4 million helicopter hangar at the Athlone army base on Friday.
Operated by the Air Corps, the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) has been based at Custume Barracks since its introduction in 2012. However, following its temporary removal from Custume Barracks in November of last year to allow for structural repair work on the hangar there were concerns that the service would not return to its original location.
The Irish Times also reported last week that an official review last year of the emergency helicopter ambulance service found no agreement on a long-term location could be reached.
The Minister for Defence quashed such concerns stating that Custume Barracks would be the "proud home" of the air ambulance service into the future.
Lauding the positive impact which the air ambulance service has had to date, Minister Harris stated that Government's investment in the service would ensure that it continues to save lives.
"The air ambulance service truly saves lives. There is not a county in our country which has not benefitted from the decision to establish the service in 2012. We have a very dispersed population throughout the country so it is essential that no matter where you live in Ireland you have the ability to access the best medical care possible when it is needed. This service is a really positive collaboration between our health service, the Air Corps and the army," the Minister said.
Since its introduction, the EAS has completed more than 4,300 missions throughout the country and the Minister said that Government investment in the facility would allow Air Corps technicians to carry out the necessary inspections and safety works to ensure that aircraft could be deployed on essential life-saving assignments.
"The proper resourcing of this service is a priority for the Government, because the air ambulance saves lives and continues to make a transformational difference since its introduction 13 years ago.
"I greatly appreciate the crucial role that this service plays in providing rapid medical response to critical situations, often in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
"The service ensures that residents of this part of the country have access to fast, life-saving medical attention, often at a time when urgent medical intervention can make the difference between life and death.
"The new upgraded hangar supports the highest aviation safety and reliability standards and reflects the Government’s commitment both to enhance and modernise Defence Forces infrastructure right across the country and ensure the safe transport and in-flight care of vulnerable patients during potentially traumatic moments," Minister Harris said.