Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1699. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that a structural fire safety audit of social housing stock is carried out to ensure compliance with Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36491/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the tragic fire in Grenfell Tower, I requested that each local authority, as a matter of urgency, review their multi-storey social housing units to ensure that they are meeting their statutory obligations in regards to Fire Safety with the emphasis on life safety and that all early warning systems, including alarm and detection systems and means of escape including corridors, stairways and emergency exits, are in place, fully functional and that each authority report back to my Department by 19 July 2017. Reports have been received and will be analysed and included in any conclusions/recommendations by the high-level Task Force which, on 27 June 2017, I tasked my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management with coordinating, in order to lead Ireland’s re-appraisal of fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Task Force will oversee and report on the initial steps already taken and look to urgently identify and consider potential life safety issues and initiate appropriate remedial action where necessary. Following this initial work, the Task Force will review and re-appraise existing arrangements and systems for Fire Safety and related issues which impact on fire safety in Ireland. The Task Force will prepare an interim report by the end of September 2017.
I have also directed that Fire Authorities carry out a preliminary survey to identify residential buildings, including social housing, of more than six storeys or more than 18m in height fitted with external cladding or rain screen systems, with or without insulation, and to consider whether use of the power to require a fire safety assessment is warranted, in respect of identified buildings. The results of the survey are to be reported to my Department by 19 July 2017, and a similar survey on non-residential buildings of more than six storeys, or more than 18m in height, is to be reported to my Department by 2 August 2017. The contents of both of these surveys will also be analysed and will inform the conclusions and recommendations to be presented by the Task Force.
