Medical Aids and Appliances Applications Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Ceisteanna (1311)

James Browne

Ceist:

1311. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost to provide a defibrillator in each public building owned by his Department and agency under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45981/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The cost of providing a defibrillator, including battery and electrode pads, is estimated at approximately €1,200 per unit.  Furthermore, a replacement battery, which has a life span of seven years, is estimated to cost approximately €370 per unit and replacement electrode pads, which have a life span of two years, are estimated to cost approximately €45 per device.

Currently there are eight defibrillators in place in buildings managed by my Department, including Met Éireann, as set out in the following table.

Location	No of Defibrillators	No of Trained Staff
Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0	3	11
Government Buildings, Ballina, F26 E8N6	2	7
Newtown Road, Wexford, Y35 AP90	1	9
Met Éireann, Dublin, D09 Y921	2	13

Met Éireann is currently in the process of arranging for the purchase of a defibrillator for its office in Valentia and for the provision of appropriate training of staff headquartered there.

40 staff at present, all volunteers, are trained in the use of defibrillators.  Each defibrillator is checked regularly.  Batteries are replaced every seven years and electrode pads are replaced every two years. 

The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned.  Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas.   The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table.

Agency	Email address
An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
Ervia, Gas Networks   Ireland	[e-mail]
Housing Sustainable  Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Irish Water	[e-mail]
Local Government   Management Agency	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies   Board	[e-mail]