Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views, with reference to financial support to Mná Ti who accommodate students in the Gaeltacht under the Irish language learners scheme to bring their houses up to standard to meet health and safety regulations on the extension of the deadline to have engineers' reports submitted as it may not be possible to meet the final date in several areas of the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7785/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a new Guidance Document was issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government last year regarding fire safety in Gaeltacht households providing accommodation to young people attending recognised Irish Summer Colleges. The purpose of the guidance, which will be in effect for the 2007 courses, is to assist householders in meeting their obligations under the Fire Safety Acts 1981 and 2003.

While my Department is not responsible for fire safety in Irish Colleges or households, it agreed nonetheless to provide assistance to colleges to employ engineers to survey the households in question so as to identify any works to be carried out and I understand that most of the surveying has been completed. My Department has also introduced a special improvement grant up to a maximum of €20,000 (€25,000 on islands) or 75% of the cost, whichever is the lesser, to assist qualified households in carrying out the necessary improvement works.

Householders wishing to provide accommodation to students for the 2007 season will require a certificate from an engineer confirming that the fire safety management measures in place in the household are in substantial compliance with the Guidance Document issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and expressing an opinion that the premises are safe to be used to accommodate students. While I appreciate the concerns of householders in regard to the timeframe available to ensure compliance with the Guidance Document, I understand that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is unwilling to agree to an extension. I remain optimistic that, with the generous assistance available from my Department, householders will be in a position to have any necessary improvement works completed in time for the summer courses and to secure the requisite engineer's certificate.