Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014

Thursday, 15 May 2014

Questions (81)

Seán Fleming

Question:

81. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the number of defibrillators that are located in Government offices and buildings under the remit of his Department and those under his aegis throughout the country; if these are available in emergency cases outside of office hours in the community in the locations where they are based; the number and cost of same; if he will consider putting some arrangement in place whereby these defibrillators can be located where the public can get access outside office hours in the interest of health and safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22379/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

In response to the Deputy's question there are currently nine defibrillators throughout the shared buildings occupied by staff of the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, including our offices in Tullamore.  The cost including VAT to install the defibrillators in 2011 came to €21,780.  Currently there is no access to these defibrillators for emergency cases outside of working hours and there are no immediate plans to change the current arrangements.

In relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department I have been informed by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners that there are currently 6 defibrillators located in Revenue offices. The cost including VAT to install these was €13,343. These devices are not available for emergency cases outside of office hours. There are currently no plans to re-locate these to enable access outside of office hours.

The National Treasury Management Agency have advised me that they have 4 defibrillators that cost €1,600 each. They are not available for emergency cases outside of working hours.