Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the Minister of State's announcement of a review of the policy but can he indicate when that review will take place? A standardised system is lacking among local authorities and I am seeking to have such a system introduced. A man in whose home a lift was installed because of difficulties he had with mobility recently asked me what he should do in the event of a fire. He would not take the lift because he was warned that the electricity supply would probably be interrupted. There are no fire doors beside the lift in that man's house, so he would literally be trapped. If a fire door was installed, he would at least have some time to escape a fire. For many years, chair lifts were the main form of lift but other types are now being installed inside the house itself.

I contacted the fire services, which are aware of the situation and the dangers involved, but was told they do not get involved in local domestic matters, although they would certainly look for fire doors in respect of apartment or office accommodation.

People have enough to worry about with regard to poor mobility, so I ask the Minister of State to prioritise the matter. An accident is waiting to happen. Significant amounts of money are already being spent on disabled persons grants and other grants and, if local authorities were obliged to install fire doors, the additional expense would not be huge. Addressing the issue may require thinking outside the box but that should not be impossible.

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