AQW 47435/11-15

Mr John Dallat
Social Democratic and Labour Party
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 18/06/2015
Answered On Date: 25/06/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Social Development to outline any assessments his Department has conducted on homes in the private sector regarding (a) gas safety; (b) domestic electrical distribution safety; (c) provision of fire safety measures; and (d) provision of carbon monoxide safety measures.

Answer:

My Department has responsibility for determining the statutory housing fitness standard which contains measures aimed at ensuring that dwellings are fit for human habitation. In practical terms Councils undertake inspections on dwellings to determine whether they meet this standard.

While there are currently no explicit requirements in respect of the safety measures in question, fire, gas, electrical and carbon monoxide safety measures are implicit in many of the standard’s criteria. My officials are currently reviewing the standard and I hope to shortly publish a discussion document outlining options for change which include proposals on specific provision in relation to safety measures.