Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this important matter. As we all know, community centres are a cornerstone of many communities around the country. They provide a vital function, bringing together members of the community for social, educational and informational purposes. We need community centres open and working well in communities because they help tie all communities together, particularly new, developing communities. As Members of this House, we see on a daily basis the benefits of a strong community centre for a local community.

My colleague, the Minister for Community and Rural Development, supports such important initiatives through, for example, the community enhancement programme, which provides small capital grants to community groups in this area. It is not a direct funding line from my Department.

Importantly, facilities where people gather need to be fire safe. That is probably the issue causing the difficulty in this community centre. I understand that issues in that regard have arisen in respect of the community centre in Hartstown and that Hartstown community centre is doing everything within its power to address these and work through those requirements.

Statutory responsibility for safety is assigned to the person having control of a building, who is required to take reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire and to ensure the safety of persons in the event of fire. That would include ensuring that all necessary fire prevention measures are in place.

To meet their duties, operators of buildings, in general, should have arrangements in place to prevent fires occurring through control of ignition sources, such as electrical equipment, and regular removal of combustible waste. Additionally, early warning in the event of fire is important, along with arrangements to ensure safe evacuation of occupants, including those who may require assistance, such as the very young or elderly people.

Buildings need to be maintained in good condition, particularly in terms of fire protection equipment therein, such as fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, fire-resisting doorsets, and the fabric of the building. Regular fire drills should be arranged to ensure that people know what to do in the event of fire.

Record keeping in respect of all of these matters assists those having control of premises in ensuring, and demonstrating, that they are meeting their statutory duties.

The provision of a fire service in its functional area is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. A fire authority may give advice on fire safety to the owner or occupier of any premises or to any person having control over any premises. If it has not happened already, it may be useful to the community centre to engage with Dublin Fire Brigade on the issues that have arisen. We have found that they engage on these issues with many individuals in dwellings, apartment blocks or community centres are proactive in working with them on that in terms the solutions and what has to be done.

I am aware that the funding is an issue. Everyone says the State has to be involved in that. While our Department is responsible for local authorities in respect of fire safety, we do not have the funding mechanism to address this issue.

I will bring it to the attention of the Minister for Rural and Community Development to see if there is any way the State can help. I note the point that the community is willing to raise funds but it seems the costs involved will be high.

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