Fire Safety Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 April 2012

Thursday, 19 April 2012

Questions (179, 180)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

181 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the fire safety checks that take place on new buildings of his Department and Health Service Executive buildings including hospitals, health centres and nursing homes by engineers from his Department who are independent from the contractors employed who carry out the work and if he will provide details of the person who signs off on the fire stopping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19635/12]

Terence Flanagan

Question:

182 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the regular fire safety checks that take place on existing Department of Health buildings and Health Service Executive buildings including hospitals, health centres and nursing homes by engineers from his Department; if he will provide details of the person who signs off on new fire stopping when needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19652/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

The sourcing of property on behalf of Government Departments and any fire safety checks that would be required for new buildings is a matter for the Office of Public Works. I can confirm that my Department has not acquired any new buildings. My Department's headquarters located in Hawkins House is an Office of Public Works owned building. As landlords they have responsibility for fire safety checks.

My Department does not employ engineers. However, my Department has responsibility for the day to day health and safety procedures in Hawkins House which includes fire evacuation drills and regular maintenance checks on fire equipment.

Management and delivery of the health care infrastructure is a service matter. Therefore your questions in relation to new and existing HSE buildings have been referred to the Executive for direct reply.