asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a statement made at the recently held conference of the Association of Fire Chiefs to the effect that the fire safety standards of Irish hospitals were grossly below the minimum required standard for fire safety; and what steps his Department have taken or are taking to rectify this serious problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Fire Safety Standards.
5.
My attention has been drawn to Press reports of statements said to have been made by some of the participants at the conference mentioned by the Deputy in regard to fire safety standards in hospitals.
It would not be correct to say that fire safety standards in our institutions as a whole are below minimum specified standards. Many of our institutions were constructed in relatively recent times and would comply with proper standards. In many other instances extensive schemes have been carried out aimed at eliminating or reducing fire hazards. Some of the older institutional buildings such as county homes have been replaced entirely by modern fire resisting buildings and the balance of that programme is being pushed ahead as rapidly as possible. Attention is also given in the drawing up of building programmes to ensuring that funds are set aside to finance urgent schemes of fire precaution measures.
The Deputy will, of course, be aware that it is not possible to replace all the older buildings in a comparatively short time and attention has been given to the steps that can be taken to minimise the risks that still obtain in a number of institutions. My Department has emphasised to hospital authorities their responsibilities in the matter. They have been asked to ensure that the hospitals under their control are examined regularly by the local fire officers, that fire fighting equipment is inspected and tested regularly, that regular fire drills take place, that hospitals are adequately patrolled by night and that proper records of all matters relating to fire precautions are maintained.
Would the Minister consider the fact that one hospital which has only one nurse at night for 40 patients is sufficiently and adequately protected against the possibility of fire? Does he consider that to be normal? It is happening in Nenagh at the present time.
It would depend on the character of the hospital as to whether the control was adequate.
Does the Minister consider that one nurse is adequate?
If the Deputy will give me particulars I will have it investigated. It may or may not be adequate. It depends on the nature of the hospital and the likelihood of a fire outbreak. One of the principal duties of the night patrol in a hospital is to ensure that patients do not go to sleep while smoking cigarettes. That is probably the principal fire hazard in a hospital which is architecturally not up to date from the point of view of fire hazard. I presume that in every hospital where patients are allowed to smoke every precaution is taken at night to ensure that the bedclothes are not set alight. This is one of the most frequent causes of fire.
I am calling Question No. 6.
Would the Minister have a report on the number of hospitals——
I am calling Question No. 6.
I have asked only one supplementary.
We have 160 questions to deal with.
I have asked only one supplementary.
Would the Deputy please listen? We have 160 questions to deal with and the Deputy may not monopolise Question Time.
We have to wait for the last one.
Exactly. I have called Question No. 6.
This is a very important matter.
I make these inquiries.
They are both out of order now.
With your permission, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.
We have a question.