Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:614. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the conditions for providing defibrillators in public premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16354/14]
View answerTuesday, 8 April 2014
Questions (614, 615)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:615. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of defibrillators currently available nationwide for use by the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16355/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 615 together.
There is currently no structured public access defibrillation programme in operation in Ireland that specifies the conditions for providing defibrillators in public places. The Public Health (Availability of Defibrillators) Bill 2013 that is currently at Committee stage outlines a scheme that would require the owners of particular types of premises or venues to install and maintain defibrillators so that they would be available for public use. The health technology assessment of public access defibrillation currently being conducted by HIQA will examine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of different configurations of any potential public access defibrillation programme. The results of this assessment will be used to inform decision making on issues related to the bill. This project is scheduled for completion in late 2014.
No information is available on the exact numbers of AEDs that are currently in use in Ireland. Based on data from a number of suppliers, it is estimated that in excess of 17,000 units have been sold in this country since 1998. However no information is currently available on the locations of these devices, what proportion are maintained and functional, and how many are available for use by the public. Analysis of the existing availability of automatic external defibrillators will form part of the HIQA health technology assessment that is due to be completed in late 2014.