Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the legislation under which the availability of defibrillators in the public service is contained; the extent to which such legislation extends into the private sector; if plans exist to increase the availability of public use defibrillators similar to those at use in Mountbellow, County Galway to the general public on a national basis; the number of defibrillators available in north Dublin, both publicly and privately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32309/07]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Availability of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) is not governed by legislation. The Report of the Task Force on Sudden Cardiac Death, published in March 2006, makes recommendations on the prevention of sudden cardiac death and on the detection of those at high risk.

The Task Force supports the establishment of first responder programmes and recommends that priority should be given to programmes, geographical locations and facilities identified as having the greatest need. All programmes should be coordinated by the HSE ambulance services, with best practice guidance from the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council. The Task Force also recommends that Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) should be placed in facilities where the incidence of cardiac arrest is high, including in-patient health facilities; G.P. surgeries and primary care facilities; airports, shopping centres, major sports venues and golf courses, bus/rail terminals, ferries/ferry terminals, concert and conference venues; universities and colleges; gyms and fitness clubs, and other venues for major public events.

The HSE Ambulance Service will be developing an AED register via the National Pre-Hospital First Responder Coordinator in the first half of 2008. The HSE will be establishing the numbers of AEDs currently available in both public and private premises. This will be completed during the first half of 2008. With the appointment of the first responder coordinators and pre-hospital resuscitation training officers in 2008, the HSE will be promoting programmes in priority areas which will increase the availability of AEDs for use by trained members of the public.