Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are a lot of questions there. As for the tenancies that were affected by the fire last week, my understanding is that the individuals and families involved have been accommodated, although some of that is temporary accommodation in a hotel. They are being provided with financial support, and of course the local authority is looking at trying to put long-term tenancies in place for the individuals concerned.

It is important to say that an inspection of all local authority multi-storey buildings is taking place. We are preparing a report on the back of that to ensure that there is a full audit of local authority-owned buildings in Ireland following the Grenfell disaster in the UK. We are expecting to get that report back next month. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government will confirm that, I am sure.

Regarding some of Deputy Broughan's more general concerns, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is very aware of its responsibilities. As the construction sector is rebuilding and delivering significant increased numbers now year on year, particularly houses and apartment complexes, we must ensure that corners are not cut but that we are building safe homes for individuals and families into the future. The Building Control Act 2007 sets out the primary purpose for which building regulations may be made, namely, health, safety and the welfare of people in and around those buildings. The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the building regulations rests with designers, builders and the owners of the buildings but of course we must make sure that local authorities have inspection teams and inspection capacity to ensure those building regulations are met. In the past, that has not been the case, quite frankly, as evidenced by the percentage of inspections that have taken place. However, we have set ambitious targets in that regard and we have put the resources in place to make it happen.

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