Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

311. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the fire and evacuation procedures and policies in place in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, conference centre and castle hall; the length of time they have been in place; the procedures and policies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22824/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The current Fire and Evacuation Procedures for Dublin Castle were developed in 2016. These procedures are available in a document entitled Dublin Castle Emergency Response Procedures,which will be provided separately to the Deputy.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

312. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of fire drills carried out for each year from 2000 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, the conference centre and castle hall in tabular form; the nature of the fire drills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22825/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Undertaking global fire drills at Dublin Castle evacuating the entire complex at the same time is impractical. A number of fire drills took place in the OPW occupied/managed areas of Dublin Castle during the time period outlined and targeted fire exercises are undertaken regularly.

In 2017, two fire drills are scheduled for Dublin Castle in late May and October. The undertaking of fire drills in buildings occupied by Departments, other than OPW within the Dublin Castle Complex is a matter for the Departments concerned.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

313. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff trained in fire evacuation procedures in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, the conference centre and castle hall for each of the years 2000 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22826/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The following staff numbers were trained as fire marshalls and trained in fire safety since 2009. A complete review based on best practice elsewhere in the OPW (Kilkenny Castle) was carried out in 2015 and new procedures were put in place following this review.

The following staff were trained in fire safety awareness

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

314. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of fire safety inspections that have been carried out in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, conference centre and castle hall; the number of fire regulation breaches which have been identified for each year from 2000 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the nature of the fire regulation breach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22827/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Number of Fire Safety Inspections carried out at Dublin Castle in State Apartments, Conference Centre and Castle Hall:

Fire safety inspections are carried out on a regular basis by Architectural, Engineering and Fire Safety officials of the Office of Public Works to ensure that Dublin Castle meets with fire safety regulations. A regular programme of works is in place to upgrade fire safety as required throughout the Castle.

Nature of fire regulation breaches identified in 2012:

External Fire Engineering consultants reports 2012, 2013 and 2014 identified certain shortcomings. Other items requiring attention have been identified in the context of OPW in house fire safety policies. It is planned to address all such limitations as soon as possible.

A local authority inspection in 2017 identified that some fire doors were wedged open in the course of an event on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. The practice of wedging open doors has been discontinued.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

315. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of fire evacuation exit routes that conform with fire regulation standards in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, conference centre and castle hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22828/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

All fire escape routes in Dublin Castle are managed to ensure the safe and speedy evacuation of occupants in the event of an emergency. There is an ongoing process of review and upgrade to ensure that evacuation routes, in particular within Dublin Castle, meet the standards of the relevant regulations.

The Fire Safety Strategy 2015/16 for Dublin Castle identifies and includes all relevant fire evacuation exit routes that require ongoing review.