Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I responded yesterday to the issue raised by Deputy Farrell. We are confident of fulfilling the Government commitment to this, especially by providing more refuges, accommodation, supports and capacity.

In respect of Deputy Ó Muineacháin's point, I understand a number of retained firefighters in Ballincollig have been successful in securing whole-time positions with Cork city fire service. That has resulted in vacancies in the retained fire service in Ballincollig. Cork City Council has moved a crew of whole-time firefighters to Ballincollig as a temporary measure pending restoration of a retained service. Provision of a retained fire service in Ballincollig remains the objective of the city council and a new recruitment campaign is planned for retained firefighters in Ballincollig. It is hoped that suitable candidates in Ballincollig will be interested in taking up roles as retained firefighters and that the local business community will consider facilitating any staff who go forward for this valuable community service. Since the incorporation of Ballincollig fire station into the Cork City Council fire service, arrangements for staffing of the council's fire service have been the subject of discussions between the council and staffing interests, which takes on board what the Deputy said. This process will probably enhance the service in Ballincollig over time.

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