Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary or grant aided companies such as An Comhairle Ealaíona, Bord Na gCon, Bord Fáilte and so on have portable appliance test certificates as required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation S.I. No. 299 of 2007; if not, the reason for same; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a PAT must be carried out on all moveable electrical equipment in offices, centres and so on, to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and employers; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that records of all such tests must be kept for at least five years to allow the Health and Safety Authority to carry out random spot checks and that insurance companies and underwriters are already seeking proof of compliance prior to renewal of policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6461/10]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation SI No. 299 of 2007 and in particular Part 3 of said Regulation dealing with Electricity matters sets out the required levels of compliance in relation to the operation of electrical systems and appliances. Section 75 of this Regulation specifies to whom it applies. As it relates to this Department there are two applicants. In relation to the design, installation and maintenance of electrical systems for the Department's office premises, the Office of Public Works have responsibility for ensuring that all electrical installations conform to the required standards and for testing and certification of these installations as necessary.

Regarding the general usage of electrical equipment and, more specifically, portable electrical equipment, the Regulation also applies to staff of the Department. In accordance with Section 81 of the Regulation, which addresses portable electrical equipment, the Department ensures that such equipment is maintained in a manner fit for safe use and is not used for work activities precluded under the Regulation. The Department has engaged external risk assessors to consider all aspects of health and safety, including the usage of such equipment, as part of the production of the required Safety Statements for its offices and has appropriately addressed issues as highlighted.

The Department, through its Health and Safety structures and mechanisms, also carries out its own periodic risk assessments and the results of these assessments are available to staff and State or other authorities as required. In respect of the agencies under the aegis of the Department, the question as raised is an operational matter for the agencies themselves.