All schools in Northern Ireland will receive a defibrillator, under plans announced by Education minister Paul Givan.
The Department of Education confirmed on Monday it will provide over £700,000 of funding for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in around 600 schools.
The department said a recent survey had indicated less than half of schools in the north currently have a defibrillator on site.
But under the new plan, the devices will be in all schools - from nurseries to post-primaries - by June 2025.
Mr Givan described it as a “significant new initiative”.
“I am very pleased that all schools in Northern Ireland are to be provided with a defibrillator before the end of the current academic year,” he said.
“Having access to defibrillators in schools drastically increases the chance of pupils, teachers and visitors surviving a cardiac arrest.
“AEDs are cost-efficient, safe and easy to use.
“Teachers and pupils across the country can now be reassured that they will have access to one on school grounds should an emergency strike.
“This funding will potentially save lives. Wherever possible, defibrillators will be located on the external boundaries of schools and importantly will be available to local communities.
“I am proud that we are taking this important step for the health and safety of our society.”
Michael Bloomfield, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, said: “The importance of defibrillators in schools cannot be overstated.
“These life-saving devices can give children, staff, visitors and our wider community the chance to survive a sudden cardiac arrest and continue to live healthy, active lives.
“I am delighted that all school defibrillators will be registered with The Circuit - the national defibrillator network - which provides the NHS ambulance services with vital information about defibrillators across the UK so that they can be accessed quickly when required.”
It comes just weeks after a new app aimed at building the confidence of school pupils in using defibrillators and carrying out CPR was launched.
The Community of Lifesavers App provides professional learning to help teach students about vital CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) skills.
It also includes survivors’ stories, interactive quizzes, enhancement of CPR/AED skills and a skills refresh function.
It was funded by the Department of Education and developed by CCEA in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance service and complements the Community of Lifesavers Education programme in schools.
