New Derry to Dublin PSO air service must put patients’ needs first - Councillor

An Inishowen County Councillor has warned against the new Derry to Dublin PSO air service users being treated like those on the new Carrickfinn to Dublin route.

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between Carrickfinn and Dublin has operated since 2004. It had a flight schedule that facilitated patients travelling to and from Dublin for medical procedures.

The current contract is due to expire this month, but the government has not secured the next contract in a timely manner.

Moville Labour Councillor Martin Farren says that it would appear that the government is negotiating a new PSO contract, allowing a new flight schedule to be introduced that would NOT suit the majority of prospective passengers, particularly those going to Dublin for medical procedures.

The new schedule is due to start from February 26th, but patients booked for procedures in Dublin after the 26th can get no flight information and are being forced to make alternative, last-minute arrangements.

Cllr Farren fears that medical passengers eagerly awaiting the new City of Derry Airport to Dublin PSO service may face the same uncertainty and poor service timetable.

It makes commercial sense for an airline company to base its aircraft at a large hub, like Dublin, where overnight maintenance crews are readily available, where aircrew live, and where emergency replacement aircraft and crew are more readily available.

Commercial and business sense is not what a PSO contract is supposed to be about. The Carrickfinn service forms a crucial part of the medical services available to Donegal patients and their families. It allows them to access treatment in Dublin that is not available in Donegal.

Cllr Farren says the government seems to have ignored the fact that the ‘PS’, in PSO, stands for ‘Public Service’. He says commercial concerns over aircraft placement are being allowed to override concerns for public and patient well-being.

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between City of Derry Airport and Dublin was suspended in 2011 but is set to be restored by late 2026, backed by €2 million in Irish government funding.

“The old service was used by passengers from North Donegal going to Dublin for medical treatment, so we must ensure that the new service out of Derry is timetabled in a way that prioritises access to medical care in Dublin for North Donegal patients,” Cllr Farren said.

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City of Derry Airport is as important to patients from North Donegal, including Inishowen, as Carrickfinn is to patients from South Donegal.

Cllr Farren says the needs of all Donegal patients must be placed before the commercial needs of service operators looking for more economic aircraft placement schedules.

“We all should support the Donegal Cancer Flights and Services group in their campaign to achieve patient-focused flights in PSO-funded air services,” he added.