The contentious refugee centre on the East Wall Road - which has been at the centre of protests for months - does not have a Fire Safety Certificate, Dublin Live can reveal.
The former ESB office block has been used to house International Protection applicants since November last year. The latest figures from the Department indicate around 360 refugees currently live at the centre.
The East Wall Committee have been calling for the centre to be shut down because they say the building is unsuitable.
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One of the committee's arguments to shut down the centre was that it didn't have a Fire Safety Certificate. The group and local representatives were assured that the building did have all the necessary paperwork to operate as a refugee centre.
However, Dublin City Council has now said the building does not have a Fire Safety Certificate. It is particularly concerning considering a resident of the centre previously told Dublin Live, "If there is a fire, all of us will die".
In response to a query from Independent Councillor Nial Ring, a DCC executive said the Dublin Fire Brigade were assessing the application for the Fire Safety Certificate "for the revised use of this building".
They said: "An application for a Fire Safety Certificate has been made through the Building Control Management Systems [the body responsible for issuing Fire Safety Certificates] for the revised use of this building. DFB are currently assessing this application and are engaging with the technical advisor in this regard."
The response added that a change of use planning permission is not required in a building being used to house refugees on behalf of the Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman.
Local Councillor Nial Ring told Dublin Live he was "surprised" no Fire Safety Certificate was in place. He said: "I was very surprised to see this answer in light of the assurances given to local councillors, TDs and the group in East Wall protesting about the lack of communication.
"We were all assured there was no issue in relation to the Fire Safety Certificate and I am really surprised that this has come to light that there isn't one in place."
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