“There is a concern that some defibrillators that will be held at schools, might only be available from 9am to 3pm during school hours”
Lagan Valley elected members have urged the council to fund around the clock heart defibrillators amid a roll out of lifesaving equipment to all schools in NI.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s communities and wellbeing committee this week heard concerns that some Automated External Defibrillators (AED) could be out of reach to the general public.
The local authority says it will now look at funding avenues for local communities to gain their own AEDs.
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Killultagh Alliance councillor, Claire Kemp said: “I have had a number of requests from constituents around heart defibrillators.
“There is a concern that some defibrillators that will be held at schools, might only be available from 9am to 3pm during school hours.
“Could we look at any funding we could offer to communities in need to bring about more defibrillators that can be accessed at all times?”
Education Minister Paul Givan said in 2024 he would provide over £700,000 of funding for defibrillators in approximately 600 schools.
The Department of Education confirmed 420 schools in Northern Ireland had access to an on-site defibrillator and 471 did not. The full roll out of defibrillators to all schools is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Lisburn North DUP councillor, Jonathan Craig said: “I think it would be worth ensuring all new defibrillators are registered with the Ambulance Service. Also, we should be looking at older defibrillators that have been about for years, potentially without the required maintenance.”
Castlereagh East DUP Alderman, Sharon Skillen added: “There are some areas in the district that could be doing with a second defibrillator. I know of one that seems to be out all the time.
“Even though we are close to the Ulster hospital, a nearby defibrillator is a matter of life and death when someone needs it urgently.”
A council officer responded: “This is something we are looking into. Just yesterday we launched our community grant aid and we can also look into the potential of DEA (district electoral area) funding. “
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