Ruth Coppinger
Question:595. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is an automatic external defibrillator available for cases of emergency in Garda stations across Ireland. [30564/15]
View answerTuesday, 22 September 2015
Questions (595, 609, 641)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:609. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that there is a defibrillator in every Garda station here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30731/15]
View answer
Joe Costello
Question:641. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if all Garda stations are equipped with defibrillators; if appropriate training has been provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31406/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 595, 609 and 641 together.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána are currently examining the issue of the provision of defibrillators as part of the Deaths in Custody Working Group. This Group have been looking into the matter of the provision of defibrillators from an organisational view point. Their recommendations with regard to developing a Garda policy on this issue and the placing of defibrillators in key Garda locations are at an advanced stage. It is not existing Garda policy to have automated external defibrillators available for cases of emergency in Garda Stations.
Defibrillators are however, currently provided in Emergency Response Unit vehicles and Regional Support Unit vehicles, largely in the event of the discharge of firearms that may warrant the use of a defibrillator.