Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Finance if all the portable electrical equipment in his Department and subsidiary companies 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. [6456/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the requirement under section 81 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation SI No. 299 of 2007 of the requirement to have certain portable electrical equipment, inspected and certified. I am advised that not all portable electrical equipment used at the workplace requires a test certificate. Under the General Application Regulations 2007, employers must ensure that portable equipment which is exposed to conditions likely to cause deterioration and consequent danger, undergoes a visual check by the user and is periodically inspected by a person competent to assess the ongoing safety of the electrical equipment. My Department has made arrangements to have the necessary inspections, and certification where relevant, carried out.

As regards the Government Offices which come under the aegis of my Department, I am informed as follows. The Office of the Revenue Commissioners has no portable electric equipment as queried by the Deputy.

In the Office of Public Works the requirements of S.I. No. 299 of 2007, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, are complied with and all portable equipment is maintained in a manner fit for safe use throughout the Department. The specific requirements of S.I. 299 for portable appliance testing of equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger is complied with in such circumstances as this applies under Safety, Health and Welfare procedures. The use of electrical equipment below a rated voltage of 125volts is in many cases a preference in areas where such dangers are anticipated. Precise information on portable appliance test certificates is not available.

The Valuation Office is not aware that any portable equipment in the Office is exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger. The Office holds no portable appliance test certificates. The Public Appointment Service does not have portable electric equipment, which is exposed to conditions causing deterioration, requiring testing and certification. The Office of the Ombudsman is not aware that any portable equipment in the Office is exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger, and it holds no portable appliance test certificates. All portable electric equipment in the State Laboratory has the necessary certification under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation SI no. 229 of 2007. In accordance with Public Financial Procedures the Exchequer carries its own insurance.