Funding boost could save vital air ambulance service

Olivia Cotter, from Doneraile, Co Cork, has first-hand experience of the Irish Community Air Ambulance service; her son was airlifted to Cork University Hospital after falling under a moving tractor in July 2020.  Picture: Brian Lougheed

The Irish Community Air Ambulance (ICAA), based at Rathcoole Aerodrome near Mallow, Co Cork, will receive a funding boost that could save the service under plans to be discussed by Cabinet on Wednesday.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will bring a memo to Cabinet which will propose giving between €1m and €2m to the service, which has until now relied on fundraising, the Irish Examiner can reveal.