Defibrillators Provision

Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Questions (549)

Robert O'Donoghue

Question:

549. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support the development of a national requirement that all developers constructing new housing estates provide an automated external defibrillator (AED) within the estate; and if he will consider incorporating such a requirement into planning or building regulations in the interest of public health and community safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65983/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy James Browne)

The Building Regulations 1997, as amended, set out the legal requirements in Ireland for the construction of new buildings (including houses), extensions to existing buildings as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. Management matters in housing estates, such as the provision of automated external defibrillators, is outside the scope of the Building Regulations and it is not my intention to regulate on this matter.

The provision of automated external defibrillators is a community health matter and, while Local Authorities might be involved in such matters in their jurisdictions, they would do so in cooperation with the local health authorities and not under any policy guidance from my Department. Where local authorities apply specific conditions on planning permissions in relation to AED provision, they are with regard to the implementation of national policy set by Government.