School Equipment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Questions (447)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

447. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the number of defibrillators which are currently physically on site in primary and post-primary schools nationwide; if figures are not available, if she will commission a report urgently to identify schools which do not have defibrillators on site in order to address any shortfall; if there is a requirement on all registered teachers to have undertaken basic first aid and defibrillator training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54625/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.

The decision to install a defibrillator is made at local school level and is a matter for the board of management of each individual school.

The wider question of the need for defibrillators to be made available is primarily a public health matter and would therefore be a matter for the Department of Health.

The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department.