Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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443. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there is an automated external defibrillator installed in the Walkinstown area (details supplied); and if not, the reason therefor. [23739/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Enhanced community response to cardiac arrest is critical to improving survival rates and this is wholly recognised in the National Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy (OHCA) – Putting Survival at the Heart of the Community (2019). The National Ambulance Service for example, have a network of over 250 Community First Responder (CFR) Schemes, supported by a Community Engagement Team. In the event of a cardiac arrest, automated text messages direct Community First Responders to the scene of any cardiac arrest that occurs in the catchment area. The role is to help stabilise the patient by providing CPR and defibrillation, while awaiting an ambulance crew.

The OHCA Strategy Governance Implementation Group has a specific aim to implement a National Ambulance Service (NAS), national Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Registry which is mapped to the NAS dispatch system, and a supporting application for dispatching first responders to the scene of an emergency. Work is in progress on developing the AED Registry, with specific emphasis on ensuring the cyber safety of the NAS dispatch system.

A facility to register AEDs with the National Ambulance Service exists and AEDs can be registered at the following web address www.nationalambulanceservice.ie/community/aed/

The National Ambulance Service is currently increasing the number of registered AEDs and automated dispatch of CFRs.

AEDs are available in many locations across society under the management of various organisations.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) operated by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, provides the Online Sports Capital Register (OSCAR) portal which is open to any valid organisation that is registered on the portal, to apply for AEDs when a new programme is announced. It is hoped a new round of the programme will be announced shortly. All registered organisations will receive an email when the programme is announced. The SCEP and the OSCAR portal can be accessed at the following web address www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie/

Funding may also available through the HSE’s national lottery grants schemes, information for which can be accessed at the following web address www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lottery-grants/national-lottery-grants/