Mr. John Barry:

Starting last summer, the Department asked fire services to identify taller buildings throughout the country, particularly those fitted with cladding. Then the Department requested local authorities to consider in the case of buildings fitted with cladding whether it would be warranted for fire services to use their powers under section 18(6) of the Fire Services Act to require the person having control over the building to carry out a fire safety assessment. That assessment can then give further information as to whether there is a need for remedial works for the general building or to the cladding insulation.

Some 838 buildings above 18 m or six storeys were identified. Of those, 373 of those were residential buildings and 465 non-residential. Of the 838 buildings identified, 287 were fitted with a cladding insulation which was of interest. Of those, 104 were residential and 183 non-residential.

Fire safety assessments were required by fire services in 219 cases. That is an adjustment to the figure of 226 that we have heard. The current figure is 219. Of these, 102 were residential and 117 non-residential buildings. According to the most recent figures we have received from local authorities, 138 fire safety assessments have been received, 61 of which are for residential and 77 for non-residential buildings. That leaves 81 fire safety assessments outstanding, 41 for residential and 40 for non-residential buildings. Some 67 of the 81 are in process, that is, the fire safety assessments are being made and prepared, of which 34 are for residential and 33 for non-residential buildings. That leaves 14 where fire safety assessments have not yet been started, of which seven are for residential and seven for non-residential buildings.