The National Ambulance Service is not going to bail the charity air ambulance out. Although the National Ambulance Service (NAS) provides medical staff and coordinates the taskings, the charity needs €2 million-a-year to fund the helicopters, pilots, fuel and its airbase. “It is important to note NAS continues to provide its ground service of emergency ambulance and air assets available (Aer Corp, Irish Coast Guard, ICRR) are an additional resource to the ground service,” a spokesperson said. Earlier in the month, the Irish Examiner revealed Health Minister Simon Harris had told the HSE to save the Irish Community Rapid Response air ambulance. “The ICRR Air Ambulance came to help me when I needed it the most, a serious fall like I had could have been life-changing,” he said.

Source: Irish Examiner January 17, 2020 16:30 UTC