James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 967: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of requests he has made to local authorities to carry out random checks on private landlords to ensure that these properties are not in breach of planning and fire regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11718/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Under the Building Control Regulations, it is mandatory to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate prior to commencing construction of non-residential buildings, including apartment blocks. A Fire Safety Certificate certifies that the building, if constructed in accordance with the plans submitted, is in compliance with the requirements of Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations. Compliance with the Building Regulations is primarily the responsibility of the builder and the owner of the building. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is a matter for the local Building Control Authorities. My Department and the City and County Managers Association have adopted a minimum target inspection level of between 12% and 15% of buildings, including dwellings, covered by valid Commencement Notices served on each Building Control Authority. In the first half of 2007 — the latest period for which statistics are available — all 37 Building Control Authorities carried out inspections and 89% of Authorities met the agreed target. I hope all Authorities will have achieved this target by the end of the year. As enforcement of the building code is a matter for the Building Control Authorities and enforcement of the Planning Acts is a matter for the Planning Authorities, I have not issued any requests for random checks to be carried out specifically on private rented accommodation.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 968: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans in place to ensure all private landlords have smoke alarms in their properties for letting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11719/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Failure to do so is an offence, subject, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000, or a term of six months in prison or both and €250 for each day of a continuing offence. Responsibility for enforcing the regulations rests with the relevant local authority, supported by a dedicated stream of funding allocated by my Department. The Regulations are being reviewed with a view to updating them as part of an Action Programme to promote improvement in standards of rental accommodation. The introduction of requirements in relation to smoke alarms is being considered as part of this review.