James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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158. To ask the Minister for Health if he will compile and make public a list of locations for automated external defibrillators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10982/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am glad to advise the Deputy that 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 in 2015, 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. There are currently 135 Community First Responder groups linked to the National Ambulance Service National Emergency Operations Centre. If an emergency 999/112 call for cardiac arrest, choking, chest pain or breathing difficulties is made to the National Ambulance Service in an area where a CFR group is established, 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 scene and administers initial care (defibrillation if required) until the National Ambulance Service Emergency resources arrive.

This national initiative provides an opportunity to extend care for cardiac events. In addition, the development of a national Automated External Defibrillator (AED) register is under initial consideration.