COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 17, 2016

QUESTION NO.11

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

To ask the Chief Executive if the Council have received a copy of the report of the Steering Group on Fire Safety Review, and if so what action has been taken, or is planned, with regard to this.

REPLY:

The Council is in receipt of the report of the Steering Group on Fire Safety in Traveller Accommodation.

The Council have been working closely with the Dublin Fire Brigade in relation to improving Fire Safety in Traveller Acoomodation following on from the tragic events of the Carrickmines tragedy and a Fire Safety Implementation Plan was developed in conjunction with them, the first phase of which was to supply Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Fire Blankets to all Traveller Accommodation and carry out Fire Safety Training Awareness Sessions for Travellers.

Two Fire Safety Training Sessions were held by the Fire Brigade locally and further sessions are planned for next month.

The necessary equipment was supplied by the Department of Housing Planning Community and Local Government and in the report at Table 3.4 relating to Traveller Accommodation Units where Fire Safety Enhancements have been carried out by Local Authorities it shows at July 2016 that no enhancements had been carried out by South Dublin County Council which was correct at the time as there was late delivery of the necessary equipment.

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms were supplied to the Council during the month of July 2016 with Fire Blankets received in the week beginning the 8th of August 2016.

All Traveller Sites were notified by hand of the schedule to be followed and the dates when scheduled for each site.

To date 103 Caravans/Mobile Homes/ Chalets have had either the equipment Fitted or Supplied to them with the majority being fitted. To date 5 number have refused the equipment.

Two sites remain to be visited along with a couple of families missed on the other sites who were not at home when the site was visited. These are scheduled for installation.

Fire extinguishers are supplied in respect of each bay and inspected twice yearly.

All Group Houses who would have had this equipment fitted at occupation will be visited in the next phase to ensure it is still in working order and will either be repaired or replaced as necessary.