Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2014
212. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if changes to EU VAT Directive 132 to allow for a zero VAT rate to be placed on defibrillators was promoted by him during the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20695/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of changes to the EU VAT Directive 132 to allow for a zero vat rate to be placed on defibrillators was not addressed during the EU Presidency. However, my Department is actively involved in plans for a Public Access Defibrillation Programme.
The Second Stage of the Public Access to Defibrillators Bill was passed in the Seanad in June 2013. The Bill sets out the requirement to provide defibrillators in a range of settings and for events which have a regular attendance in excess of 100 persons per day. It was agreed that there are a number of questions that need to be considered when designing a public defibrillation programme for Ireland. Government approval was therefore granted for the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of a Public Access Defibrillator Programme for Ireland. This HTA will inform my subsequent decisions on the design and implementation of a national programme of public access defibrillation and the necessary legislation which my Department will draft.
The first meeting of the Expert Advisory Group on Public Access Defibrillation took place on 13 March in the HIQA offices. It was agreed that the second meeting of the Advisory Group would take place in June 2014, with the third meeting and Final Draft Report stage being undertaken in August 2014. In mid-September, 2014 it is envisaged that a Public Consultation will begin, ending on or about 17 October. It is expected that the Final Report will be ready for publication by mid-November, 2014.
