Vol. 514 No. 1
190 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will provide funding to ensure that each local authority housing unit has proper fire alarm systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3683/00]
I assume that the question refers to the provision of smoke detectors, the importance of which in giving early warning of fire is widely recognised. While the primary responsibility for ensuring safety from fire rests with individual tenants, my Department has suggested to housing authorities that they should, as part of their maintenance and management responsibilities, consider providing smoke alarms and taking the necessary steps through guidance etc. to ensure that these alarms are properly installed and maintained in the dwellings of their tenants generally. The management, maintenance and improvement of their rented dwellings, including the provision of such systems, are the responsibility of local authorities to be funded from their own resources. However, where capital funding is made available under the remedial works scheme to assist authorities in carrying out major essential works to designated housing estates, the carrying out of fire prevention works may form part of the works undertaken.
All new local authority houses are provided with appropriate smoke detectors in accordance with the building regulations and the cost is met from the funding provided for these houses under the local authority housing programme.
