Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to fund the training of persons to become proficient in the use of defibrillators which are available in many communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11321/07]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide and fund the advanced course for persons in the use of defibrillators in communities where defibrillators are provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11327/07]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 314 together.

The Report of the Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death was published in March 2006. It makes recommendations on the prevention of sudden cardiac death and on the detection of those at high risk. Among the recommendations of the Task Force is that training initiatives should be prioritised. I understand that the HSE, which has overall responsibility for the implementation of the report's recommendations, has set up working sub groups to address the recognised priority areas in the SCD report one of which is First Responder development.

Progress has already been made in this area. The process for appointing a national community first responder co-ordinator plus four HSE area community first responder co-ordinators has begun. A similar process for appointing six community resuscitation training officers to ensure that all health care professionals receive ongoing basic life support (BLS) training, has also begun.

A draft guide giving information and advice for community first responder programmes has been produced and is being developed further. Support has also been given to the MERIT project that provides automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and AED and BLS training to GPs and GP practices throughout the country.

Funding the training in the use of AEDs will be decided by the HSE and will be guided by the priorities identified in the report. My Department will continue to monitor the progress being made by the HSE in implementing the recommendations of the Task Force.