Vol. 537 No. 3
54 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of people who have lost their lives or suffered injury as a result of house fires in 2000 and 2001 to date; if, in view of the proven effectiveness of smoke alarms, he will consider a Government programme to ensure the installation of smoke alarms in all domestic dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15953/01]
Information supplied by fire authorities indicates that 38 of the 43 fatalities from fires attended by fire brigades in 2000 occurred in the home. To date this year fire authorities have reported 31 fire fatalities attended by brigades, 29 of which occurred in the home. Information on the number of injuries suffered is not available in my Department.
The consolidated building regulations and revised technical guidance documents, which I published in 1997, recommend that all dwellings built and-or extended on or after 1 July 1998 should be fitted with mains operated smoke alarms rather than battery operated alarms. In addition, local authorities have been asked by my Department to consider the provision of smoke alarms in all of their rented dwellings.
I have no proposals to introduce a Government programme of universal installations of smoke alarms in existing dwellings. I am aware that there are commercial incentives offered by insurers to those who install smoke detectors. The National Safety Council actively encourages fire safety in the home as part of its ongoing fire safety education and publicity campaigns. The council places particular emphasis on the value of smoke alarms in its campaigns.
