Uncertainty Over New Fire Alarm Requirements

That the Parliament is concerned by what it sees as the unnecessary levels of worry caused by the new fire alarm requirements; notes, in particular, reports of concern from elderly constituents who, it understands, do not feel they have had appropriate information or support to make necessary changes to their fire alarms; considers that demands for Scottish Government funding, provided through Care and Repair Scotland, far outstrip resources available; understands that Fife Care and Repair Service funding, delivered through Kingdom Housing Association, is currently on hold, subject to further funding support, as funding of £16,000 for 87 households has reportedly already been used, with many more households seeking funding; notes reports that there is a wider issue with the supply of approved alarms, as alarms approved under the Scottish Government-funded scheme are sold out and the approved supplier reportedly has a backlog of more than 5,000 alarms; further notes reports that this backlog is delaying the installation of fire alarms to the original commitment of 87 households, which, it considers, does not begin to cover the extent of support requirements, and is very worried about reports of similar situations across the country, and the concern that, it understands, this is causing to many constituents, who remain worried that they may not have valid home insurance until installation of approved fire alarms is complete.