Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Ó Laoghaire points out, I am taking this on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy O’Donnell. It is important to note that the non-availability of any particular fire station does not mean that fire risk management, including fire service response, is diminished. The systemic approach to fire risk management, which has been the policy in use in this country for a more than a decade, has seen a welcome and steady downward trend in fire losses in Ireland. While each fire death is one too many, the fire fatality rate per million of population, averaged over three years, stands at 4.3. Everyone will recognise that is too high but it is one third of what it was 20 years ago which is a huge improvement. That level of fire fatalities positions Ireland among countries with very low fire fatality rates.

Provision of a retained fire service in Ballincollig remains the objective of Cork City Council, and there is a live recruitment campaign for retained firefighters in Ballincollig. It is hoped that suitable candidates in Ballincollig will be interested in taking up roles as retained firefighters, and, going back to what Deputy Gould said, that the local business community will consider facilitating any staff that go forward for this valuable community service.

The Department continues to support the council through the Minister’s fire services capital programme, with approved expenditure in excess of €1.8 million since 2020 for the procurement of emergency appliances in the form of a new aerial appliance, a new class B fire tender and additional fire service vehicles and equipment.

In conclusion, I note what Deputy Ó Laoghaire said in relation to the Workplace Relations Commission having invited Cork City Council and staff representatives to talks with a view to build a consensus and find a resolution on the Ballincollig dispute. On behalf of the Minister of State, I strongly encourage all parties involved to use the established industrial relations machinery of the State to resolve this dispute in the interests of the people in the area.

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