Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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415. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the commitments given in the programme for government to assist in the purchase of defibrillators for public use; the funding provided to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5650/17]

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The commitment referred to by the Deputy is largely a function of the annual Estimates process and it is in this context that funding may be pursued. Meanwhile, community groups may apply to the HSE for lottery funding to help with the purchase of defibrillators.

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 works with the National Ambulance Service, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and the Centre for Emergency Medical Science UCD. There are currently 141 Community First Responder groups tasked by the National Ambulance Service. 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.