AQW 19007/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 28/11/2024
Answered On Date: 16/01/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 17904/22-27, to detail (i) the work required at the Redwood facility on Belmont Road, Belfast, to meet current fire regulations; and (ii) the impact this work will have on the estimated opening date of the site.

Answer:

The existing fire safety provisions at Redwood have not been maintained as required by the fire safety legislation i.e. ensuring any provisions or systems in place ‘are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair’ - The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, Part 3, Regulation 16. The South Eastern Trust estates team are continuing to work through the Fire Risk Survey in order to ascertain the extent of the works that are needing to be undertaken.

The fire risk assessment methodology requires these works to be completed prior to occupation if not already occupied i.e. ‘Considerable resources might have to be allocated to reduce the risk. If the building is unoccupied, it should not be occupied until the risk has been reduced’. The opening of the Redwood site will depend on the extent and cost of the works that will be required to be undertaken and the timeframe that it will take to do the necessary works to ensure the building is fit for purpose. It is likely that the building will cost in excess of £50,000 to rectify fire doors with estimates of other required works being progressed through the Fire Risk Survey. Barnardo’s at this stage are only offering a lease of 18 months therefore the Trust will have to consider the affordability and value for money of renting the facility given the investment it would need to make to meet the fire regulation guidelines.