Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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160. To ask the Minister for Health his plans further to assist the extension of automated external defibrillator coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22747/15]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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165. To ask the Minister for Health if funding has been allocated for the provision of defibrillators on foot of the publication of Health Technology Assessment of Public Access Defibrillation by the Health Information and Quality Authority on 1 December 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22808/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 165 together.

The Health Information & Quality Authority conducted an economic evaluation of various Automated External Defibrillators (AED) national deployment programmes in designated places, such as hospitals, places of worship, hospitality and entertainment venues, sports clubs, transport stations, retail premises and public buildings. It reported that none of the Public Access Defibrillation programmes evaluated would be considered cost-effective using conventional willingness to pay thresholds.

One of the means to help improve health outcomes in this area is through the expansion of the National First Response Network. Community first responder groups comprise this national network. These are people from local communities who are trained in basic life support and the use of defibrillators that attend a potentially life threatening emergency in their area. They are then able to provide an early intervention in situations such as heart attack or cardiac arrest by providing, among other things, resuscitation and defibrillation.

Cardiac First Responders (CFR) Ireland, launched earlier this year, is the national umbrella organisation for Community First Responders Groups. CFR Ireland is supported by the National Ambulance Service, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and the Centre for Emergency Medical Science UCD. Each group is linked to the National Ambulance Service control and despatch system. If there is a cardiac 999 call in an area, the on-duty CFR member gets a text from the National Ambulance Service at the same time that an ambulance is despatched with location and call details. The First Responder then goes straight to the site and administers initial care (defibrillation if required) until the National Ambulance Service and Rapid Response vehicles arrives.

This national initiative provides an opportunity to extend care for cardiac events. The prospect for a pilot programme on defibrillator availability in a local area will also be explored and will address the practical issues relating to the use of AEDs in the community. In addition, the development of a national AED register is under consideration.