Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the measures taken to enforce the recommendations as set out by the report of the Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death to roll-out the Community First Responders scheme nationwide; the timeframe for nationwide roll-out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29542/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has overall responsibility for the implementation of the Report of the Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death. It has established a Steering Group to oversee implementation of the recommendations contained in the report and has appointed a project co-ordinator. A project plan that outlines timeframes, budget and responsibilities is being developed.

Implementation of many of the most immediate recommendations in the report is already underway and it is planned to start implementing the others before the end of the year.

A particular priority is to establish first responder programmes in geographic locations and facilities where there is the greatest need. First responder programmes may be general practitioner, uniformed, site specific (sports clubs, airports, etc) or community (either linked to the ambulance service or stand-alone) programmes. Other priorities include the development of risk assessment questionnaires and protocols that can be used by recreational and competitive sports clubs and general practitioner education and information. These will be incorporated into the project plan.

My Department will continue to monitor the progress being made by the HSE in implementing the recommendations of the Task Force.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on waiting lists for methadone treatment due to a lack of GPs prescribing the drug outside Dublin; the numbers awaiting methadone treatment; the numbers and locations of GPs currently prescribing the drug; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29519/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The specific information requested by the Deputy on waiting lists for methadone treatment for areas outside Dublin is not routinely collected by my Department. I have asked the Health Service Executive to collate the requested information and to send it to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

I am, however, informed that at the end of August 2006 there were 224 doctors prescribing methadone nationwide. Of this number 180 operate within the HSE Eastern Region and 44 operate outside this region.

I am further informed that at the end of June 2006 there were 195 people on the methadone waiting list in the HSE Eastern Region compared to 222 people on the waiting list for the same period in 2005. This equates to a 12% decrease in people awaiting methadone treatment in the 12 month period. Furthermore, the number of people in treatment during the same period increased by 375 from 7,561 to 7,936.

I am aware that the problem of heroin use has spread to regions outside the Greater Dublin Area. In that regard I recognise the importance of expanding appropriate services in these areas in partnership with General Practitioners.