Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Senator Wall for raising this timely issue. It has given me the chance to speak about the continued implementation of the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest strategy by the HSE, and some of the community services in place. It is my expectation that the funding provided by the Government in 2021 will result in real progress in the development of an AED register, and the HSE is already making progress on some of the practical elements that need to be considered in that regard.

In addition to this element of the strategy, I highlight the broader implementation work under way by the HSE and other agencies, as this will also support the dedicated work of the network of community first responders and the National Ambulance Service. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a significant source of mortality and morbidity, with a wide variation in reported incidence and outcomes. Research shows that "it takes a whole system to save a life" and this is why a planned, strategic, whole-nation approach to improving OHCA survival is essential. On that basis, I am confident that the investment in the work of the OHCA strategy implementation group will achieve real and continued progress in survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Ireland.