1830. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the increase in fire deaths in recent years the proposals in place to support local authorities in promoting fire safety for households including the maintenance and regular testing of alarms and addressing risks from lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62045/26]

The provision of a fire service within its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover requirements and the provision of fire station facilities, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003.

My Department supports fire authorities through national policy development, legislative preparation, the provision of a central training programme, the issuance of operational guidance and advice, and the provision of capital funding for priority infrastructure projects.

My Department works closely with local authority fire services to support and promote fire safety awareness among householders throughout the country, including the importance of installing, maintaining and regularly testing smoke alarms. Information and guidance on fire safety in the home are provided through national awareness campaigns, fire safety leaflets, social media channels and the Fire Ireland website, which serves as a central source of public fire safety information.

Recognising the emerging fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) has developed a dedicated section on the Fire Ireland website providing practical fire safety advice for consumers on the safe use, charging, storage and disposal of these devices. This resource is available at: www.fireireland.ie/fire-safety/fire-safety-in-the-home/e-scooter-and-e-bike-fire-safety/.

In addition, the NDFEM recently collaborated with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) on a consumer information campaign highlighting the safe use of air fryers. The campaign provides practical guidance on the correct operation and maintenance of air fryers to reduce fire risk and improve awareness of fire safety considerations associated with newer household technologies.

The Community Smoke Alarm Scheme (CSAS) has been operating since 2007 and provides free smoke alarms to vulnerable households. Local authority firefighters, working with voluntary organisations and community groups, identify vulnerable households in their areas that do not have smoke alarms and arrange for alarms to be installed, with the costs met by my Department. The 2026-2027 CSAS programme is now open, with approximately 15,000 alarms expected to be drawn down. Since 2023, specially adapted smoke alarm units for people who are hard of hearing have also been made available under the scheme.

Fire Safety Week 2026 will be launched jointly by the NDFEM and the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) on 12 October 2026. This year's theme, "Know Your Room, Know the Risk", highlights the importance of understanding the fire hazards that may exist in the spaces we use every day. As part of Fire Safety Week, the NDFEM will provide fire safety promotional materials and information leaflets and will coordinate a national social media campaign to support fire authorities in their community engagement and public awareness activities. Fire Safety Week also marks the launch of the annual media campaign across television, local and national radio, which aims to raise awareness of fire risks in the home and promote practical fire safety measures.

The NDFEM also delivers a range of education and awareness programmes aimed at promoting fire safety among children and young people. These include the Never Give Fire a Chance Primary School Programme and BFireSafe@School, a fire safety programme designed for Transition Year students. Information on these initiatives, together with a wide range of additional fire safety advice and resources, is available on the Fire Ireland website at www.fireireland.ie.

My Department, through the NDFEM and local authority fire services, will continue to support public education and fire safety awareness initiatives aimed at reducing fire incidents, injuries and fatalities. This work will be complemented by targeted information campaigns and guidance to help address emerging fire safety risks and promote safer communities.

The key public safety message remains that a working smoke alarm, which is regularly tested and properly maintained, is the single most important fire safety measure in any home.