I move:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to require the management boards of schools to install and maintain defibrillators so that they are available for public use and to require such boards of management to erect signage and make information available online regarding the location of such defibrillators and to require the boards of management to provide training to persons on the premises; to require the maintenance of a register in each premises concerning defibrillators located therein; to provide appropriate exemptions from civil liability; to provide for offences; to empower the Health and Safety Authority to supervise and ensure compliance with this Act and for that purpose to amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005; and to provide for related matters.
The Bill is straightforward in its scope, ambitions and aims. It seeks to build on a similar Bill that was introduced in 2013 by a number of Senators, including Senator Feargal Quinn, but unfortunately was not enacted due to the prohibitive costs and scope of the Bill at that time. This Bill differs somewhat and instead of requiring the installation of defibrillators in all public buildings, it will require the installation of defibrillators in all schools, thus narrowing the focus and the scope. The Bill also improves the focus and the effectiveness of the legislation. Everybody knows where their nearest school is but, in an urgent situation, how quickly could somebody name their nearest public building? This, therefore, improves the focus and the effectiveness of the Bill.
Many people, in saying that this measure may not work, cite the costs. It is said that it would be €1,200 per defibrillator and 3,900 schools would be eligible. This would bring the total cost to some €4.7 million, presuming they were to be bought off the shelf. If, however, the defibrillators were to be purchased in bulk, the costs would come down significantly.
It is not just about costs. It is also about the benefits. If defibrillators were installed in every school and if a person was to get access to a defibrillator within five minutes, survival rates are around 50%. It is difficult to say what price can be put on the cost of losing a life. It is clear that the benefits are numerous and myriad. Some 5,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest in Ireland each year. If this Bill was enacted and if defibrillators were installed in every school in the State, people would have certainty. They would have a map in their own heads - in the way that we all know where our nearest school is in relation to where we live - so we would all know exactly where our nearest defibrillator is to where we live. We have incentivised sports clubs with grants to install defibrillators so we could also incentivise schools to install and maintain them.
This is very worthy legislation. I note the campaign being run by the The Irish Sun on the matter and the support it has garnered from across the political spectrum. Sinn Féin backs the Bill as does Deputy Micheál Martin, the leader of Fianna Fáil, or so his Deputies say. Deputy Martin may want to take it up with his members.
