Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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250. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action his Department is taking to improve indoor environmental quality standards. [26040/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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There is an existing comprehensive suite of occupational safety and health legislation in place in Ireland designed to protect the health and safety of workers and to mitigate against work related injuries, ill-health and fatalities.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, sets out the responsibilities of employers, the self-employed, employees and various other parties in relation to safety and health at work. The Act also provides for a range of enforcement measures and penalties that may be applied for breach of occupational safety and health. The Act applies to all employers and employees at all places of work.

Employers have extensive duties under the Act covering protective and preventive measures, hazard identification and risk assessment as well as providing information for employees.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations were made under the 2005 Act and came into operation in 2007. These regulations include obligations to address the physical indoor workplace environment covering various aspects of that environment including noise, lighting, vibration, ventilation, etc.

In relation specifically to workplace ventilation, the Health and Safety Authority will shortly publish a new Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality. This Code of Practice sets out the optimum standards for indoor air quality along with detailed practical guidance for employers and employees and applies to all places of work.

Any employer or worker seeking advice or guidance on the Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality, or in relation to any other health and safety obligations and/or standards at their place of work, should contact the Health and Safety Authority at www.hsa.ie or contactus@hsa.ie or by Lo Call 0818 289 389.