asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the existing rescue and welfare services are adequate to deal with a major disaster which might entail rehousing a large number of people.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Rescue and Welfare Services.
9.
It is assumed that the Deputy's mention of rescue and welfare services refers to the rescue and welfare sections of the Civil Defence service. The position in this regard is that the employment of the volunteer personnel of Civil Defence and their equipment to assist the fulltime public authority services in connection with peace-time disasters is at the discretion of the individual local authorities concerned and is subject to the condition that the tasks to be undertaken are within: (a) the compass of regular Civil Defence techniques; (b) the competence of the volunteers concerned and (c) the authorised working limits of the standard Civil Defence equipment available.
I am satisfied that the capacity of Civil Defence volunteers to furnish such assistance, within the limits indicated, is adequate.
The problem of rehousing persons rendered homeless as a consequence of a major disaster is one for the local authority concerned.
There is in existence since 1969 a major accident plan for the Dublin area which was drawn up under the aegis of the Minister for Health.
Is the Minister satisfied that the co-ordination of these schemes with the central and local authorities is adequate to meet any kind of emergency that may be forced on us some day?
The co-ordination of the rescue services under Civil Defence is carried out by the assistant secretary of my Department, who works through the county manager in each local authority area. I am satisfied that the preparations made are the best that could be made in the circumstances and that in all but the greatest disaster situations are adequate.