asked the Minister for Justice the nature and extent of fire precautions in each penal institution under his control.
965.
Written Answers. - Penal Institutions Fire Precautions.
964.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons in prison custody who (a) have died by fire or (b) have been injured in fires in the period August, 1972 to August, 1982, giving the number for each year and institution.
966.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of serving personnel in the prison service who have been trained in fire fighting; who was responsible for such training, if any; if he will specify the precise nature of his training, if any; and the number involved in any varied forms of training.
967.
asked the Minister for Justice whether any inquiry, commission or coroner has made any recommendations concerning fire control, fire prevention or the training of prison staff in this area; and, if so, if these recommendations have been implemented.
968.
asked the Minister for Justice whether it is normal practice for the fire authorities in the relevant areas to be consulted on any regular basis in regard to fire prevention and safety in penal institutions.
969.
asked the Minister for Justice if it is normal practice for fire prevention officers to visit penal institutions; and, if so, the frequency and areas of visits in the period August, 1972 to August, 1982.
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 964 to 969, inclusive, together.
For a general account of the arrangements made to deal with possible out-breaks of fire in the prisons and places of detention and of the consultations that take place in that regard, I refer the Deputy to the answer given on 25 February 1981 to a Parliamentary Question in the matter (Dáil Debates, Vol. 327, Column 262 to 264).
The Chief Trades Officer in each establishment is responsible for demonstrating to all members of the staff the functions of the varied fire fighting equipment located at the establishment. Practical demonstrations of the use of the equipment take place at frequent intervals. Courses have been organised in co-operation with the Army and commercial companies for chief trades officers and other selected officers. The emphasis is on the procedures for the rescuing of any member of staff or prisoner whose life may be endangered. In recent years about 40 officers have attended such courses.
Details regarding the number of prisoners who died or suffered injuries when fires occurred, between August 1972 and August 1982 are set out below.
TABLE
|
Year |
Deaths |
Injuries |
|
1972 |
— |
— |
|
1973 |
— |
— |
|
1974 |
— |
— |
|
1975 |
— |
— |
|
1976 |
— |
1 (St. Patrick's Institution) |
|
1977 |
— |
— |
|
1978 |
— |
— |
|
1979 |
— |
1 |
|
(St. Patrick's Institution) |
||
|
1980 |
1 |
2 |
|
(Limerick Prison) |
(Limerick Prison, St. Patrick's Institution) |
|
|
1981 |
— |
— |
|
1982 |
— |
— |
As far as I am aware there have been no recommendations from any commission or inquiry relating to fire fighting other than one from a coroner's jury which arose from the one instance in which a prisoner lost his life during a fire in his cell in 1980. Legal proceedings have been instituted in this case and I am, therefore, precluded from offering any comment on the circumstances of the incident, the subsequent proceedings before the coroner or the recommendation.