Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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234. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the need for all OPW-managed sites to have life-saving equipment. [49895/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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The OPW recognises the need to provide a safe place to work or visit and promotes a strong safety culture. A defibrillator can play a potentially lifesaving role following sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, defibrillators need to be accessible and in good working order at all times in the event that they are needed for an emergency situation.

The OPW has provided defibrillators at a large number of the managed sites and offices under its direct control. Life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for cardiac emergencies are in place at the OPW headquarters building in Trim, Co. Meath and at offices at 1GQ Dublin, Claremorris Co. Mayo, and Hebron Road Kilkenny. In addition, almost all of the main OPW National Monument Depots, Arterial Drainage Depots, and Hydrometric Section Offices have access to AEDs on site.

The installation of defibrillators at OPW heritage sites has been done over time on a case by case basis with an emphasis on sites and locations that have significant footfall. In recent years the aim is to add AEDs to as many of the heritage sites as possible. The OPW has already provided defibrillators at the most frequently visited heritage sites that it manages. These sites include Dublin Castle; Kilmainham Gaol; Rock of Cashel; Charlesfort, Clonmacnoise; Botanic Gardens, Dunmore Caves and Kilkenny Castle.