Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014

Thursday, 15 May 2014

Ceisteanna (182)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

182. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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 out of office hours times in the interest of health and safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22372/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the remit of my Department there is a total of 25 automated electronic defibrillators [AEDs], at a supply cost of €53,863, in different locations throughout my Department. The AEDs are strategically situated in selected offices to best serve the needs of the staff and visitors in the event of a medical emergency. Should an emergency arise outside of any of these locations and during office opening hours my staff will assist and make available the AED. However given that the Department offices must be secured after office hours public access would not be possible after these hours. In relation to the possibility of locating the AEDs on the public side of the entrances to the offices I will have to make further enquiries into this matter.