Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Transport 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. [6454/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department implements an ongoing PAT programme in order to ensure that portable equipment used in Departmental premises is maintained in a manner fit for safe use. Comprehensive reports were prepared by an external consultant engaged for this purpose in 2007 in respect of the Department's main premises at 25 Clare Street, 44 Kildare Street, Frederick Buildings (South Frederick Street) and 59 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. These buildings house the great majority of the Department's staff. A number of minor issues arose from these tests and appropriate remedial action was taken. Records of this programme are retained.

It is planned to test portable equipment in remaining Department premises later this year and in the event of any safety issues arising remedial action will again be taken to eliminate any safety concerns. In so far as agencies under the aegis of my Department is concerned, this is a matter for direct attention by the agencies themselves.