Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the responsibilities his Department and the local government system has for accident prevention, such as personal accidents in public places, house fires and so on, that are not covered by the Road Safety Authority or the Health and Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19556/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department is responsible for the promotion of fire safety at a national level. Promotional material focussing on fire safety in the home and advertising campaigns, which include television, national and local radio, on-line, public transport and outdoor advertising are used to promote key fire safety messages. The main focus of these activities arises during National Fire Safety Week, which takes place in October each year. Community Fire Safety programmes, such as the primary schools "Safety Team" pack programme for third class pupils and the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme, under which my Department funds the purchase of smoke alarms by local authorities for installation in vulnerable households, are also in place.

With regard to fire accidents generally, Section 18 (2) of the Fire Services Act 1981 places a duty on every person having control over premises to which this section applies to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire on such premises and to ensure as far as it is reasonably practicable the safety of persons on the premises in the event of the outbreak of fire".

Irish Water Safety, which operates under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory body established to promote water safety. Through water safety education, training in swimming, lifesaving and rescue it promotes a stronger water safety ethos and culture in order that the public will have a water safety attitude, skills and the behaviour necessary safely to use and enjoy the aquatic environment.