Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
65. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made in remedial works to housing units in Belmayne development, Dublin, which were intended to ensure compliance with fire safety building regulations following the discovery of breaches of those regulations in April 2011; and if he will confirm that all housing units in Belmayne now comply with the building regulations on the fire safety. [38948/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department understands that Dublin City Council, through Dublin Fire Brigade, was notified by the developer of a construction defect affecting 232 properties at the Belmayne Housing Complex. The developer, acting responsibly in consultation with his Fire Engineer, contacted the Local Authority immediately and has undertaken to carry out remedial works to all of the properties affected. Dublin City Council and the Fire Consultants for the developer have agreed on the works necessary to rectify the problem units – this involves inserting fire-proof board to seal a 75mm gap in the voids above ceilings and the rebuilding of service ducts with full fire-proof construction. The Fire Officer is satisfied that when these remedial works are completed this defect will have been addressed.
My Department is advised by Dublin City Council that remediation work on 197 units has now been completed. Therefore 35 units remain to be remediated and the works involved remain the responsibility of the developer. The onus in this instance is on the developer to ensure compliance with the requirements of Part B of the Building Regulations and my Department understands that the developer has retained the services of Fire Safety Consultants to carry out inspections of the works during the remediation process.
