Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
258. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any funding for families who inadvertently build their houses with asbestos roofing products, without knowing the health risks of these products; and, if not, if he will consider making available such funding. [51749/13]
View answerThere are no specific grants available from my Department or local authorities for the removal of asbestos in buildings. However, the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability provide a range of grants for necessary improvement works or adaptations to houses in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability. These schemes cover works reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of applicants, and can in those circumstances include the removal of asbestos.
There is a general ban on the use of asbestos under Directive 76/769/EEC as amended, which was transposed in Ireland through the European Communities (Dangerous Substances and Preparations) (Marketing and Use) Regulations. The prevention of exposure is the focus of occupational safety and health legislation concerning asbestos in the workplace. Specific worker protection Regulations regarding the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos fibres while at work have been in place since 1989. The most up-to-date Regulations are the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos ) Regulations 2006, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Authority. The Authority comes under the remit of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Insofar as the management of asbestos as a waste is concerned, the Waste Management Acts 1996-2007 prohibit any person from holding, transporting, recovering or disposing of waste in a manner which causes or is likely to cause environmental pollution, defined in Section 5 to include action which would to a significant extent endanger human health. It is recommended that expert advice should be sought in dealing with asbestos materials and if removal is necessary it should only be done by a competent contractor with the required training.
