John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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626. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps that have been taken to examine buildings with cladding in the Dublin metropolitan area; the way in which such an examination was undertaken; and if it was on a drive by basis or if it involved a detailed examination of the sub-cladding material. [13858/18]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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627. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the precise role of the chief fire officer with regard to house building here. [13859/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 627 together.

In response to the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy and in recognition of fears expressed for fire safety, I tasked my Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management with coordinating a high-level Task Force to lead a reappraisal of fire safety in Ireland. The Task Force was requested to oversee and report on a number of initial steps, and to urgently consider any potential life safety issues and appropriate responses.

In addition to establishing the Fire Safety Task Force, I requested that a number of immediate initial actions be taken including, directing fire authorities to carry out a preliminary survey to identify buildings of more than six storeys, or more than 18m in height, fitted with external cladding or rain screen systems, with or without insulation and to revert to my Department with this information. Fire authorities were advised that a site visit would be required, to confirm information, including whether cladding to the buildings is present. 

Where buildings of more than six storeys, or more than 18m in height, with cladding or cladding systems present, were identified, fire authorities were advised to consider whether use of section 18(6)(a) of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003 – to require the person having control over the premises to carry out a fire safety assessment of the premises, including the cladding system and concealed spaces (cavities) in the external wall construction – was warranted. 

This initial work in relation to medium to high rise buildings has been carried out and all fire authorities, including the four Dublin fire authorities, have reported back to my Department as requested.

A number of medium to high rise buildings have been identified as having external cladding which gave rise to concerns and in these cases building owners have been required by fire authorities, using their powers under the Fire Services Acts, to undertake fire safety assessments in these specific buildings. The assessment process in individual buildings is ongoing.

With regard to the precise role of Chief Fire Officers, all arrangements in relation to staffing in each local authority are the responsibility of the relevant Chief Executive for that authority and queries relating to the roles of local authority staff should be referred to the relevant local authority. As Minister, I have no function in these matters.