Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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While I welcome the fact that Clara fire station has now been placed on the Department's construction project list, I have proceeded with this Topical Issue matter to obtain as much clarity as possible in respect of funding for the fire station. All Deputies can give many examples of capital projects and local construction projects throughout the State that have been signed off and approved by various Departments, only for those infrastructure projects to endure long delays before work commences. I think in particular of many school projects where unanticipated rises in construction inflation costs, for instance, have delayed works and caused much frustration in communities.

Will the Minister of State provide an assurance to the community of Clara, who need this new fire station, and to me that the capital funding allocated to Clara fire station will increase if construction costs increase? I accept that project management is complex and, as Ministers always point out, it is inevitable there will be delays to some projects in any given year. I understand, however, that the purpose of facilitating capital carryover is to allow, within reason, funding tied to projects to move smoothly from one year to the next. I am concerned that although funding may have been approved and signed off to much fanfare, it may become bogged down in a reapplication process if costs rise. That is what I want to avoid. I do not want the people of Clara to have to wait any longer than necessary for this new fire station.

Clara badly needs a fire station to be constructed as soon as possible. It needs guarantees that the Department will support the project financially until it is over the line and operational. I hope real progress will be made to replace the old fire station, which has served the community for decades but is no longer fit for purpose, with this new fire station as soon as possible.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the new fire station at Clara, County Offaly. The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy and progressing legislation, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.

In December 2020, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage announced a new fire services capital programme for the period 2021 to 2025, with a funding allocation of €61 million. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of infrastructural proposals were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of: the area risk categorisation of the fire station; established health and safety needs; the state of development of the project, that is, whether the preferred site had been acquired; and the value for money offered by the proposal. That programme was envisaged to see six new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments and the allocation of 35 new fire engines.

To maximise the available capital programme funding, my Department can reassess the status of projects in the programme annually and flexibility is normally available to advance projects that are ready and offer best value for money, taking account of the state of readiness of projects more generally. Any proposal received by my Department requesting further support from the fire services capital programme is considered with regard to national priorities and the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide. Project consideration stages in my Department include: submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; and cost plan, tender process and construction stages.

Offaly County Council previously indicated the replacement of Clara fire station and the development, extension and upgrade works to the Tullamore BA training centre and the Tullamore central fire station were the priority projects for Offaly fire and rescue service. In September, my Department approved Offaly County Council to accept a tender in excess of €3.8 million for the redevelopment works at the Tullamore fire services training centre and contracts were signed earlier this year. That project is in construction phase.

All projects in the capital programme may be reassessed annually to maximise available capital programme funding. That is the question the Deputy is asking. Priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value for money and to take account of the state of readiness of projects, based on ongoing engagement with local authorities in respect of prioritisation.

The Clara fire station project was not initially included in the Minister’s fire services capital programme 2021-2025, but, as an interim measure, the council took steps to show the readiness of the Clara fire station project and increase the potential for capital funding to be granted should that possibility arise. Given the excellent progression to date of the fire services capital programme, which has seen the completion of six fire stations, with several other priority projects in build phase and others nearing final planning, the decision to accommodate the proposed new Clara fire station project within the fire services capital programme 2021-2025 was taken in October this year.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. As he rightly stated, Offaly County Council had input into the project and getting it brought forward, which was fantastic to see. I welcome that wholeheartedly. The fire crew in Clara will be very happy with the news that the project is now on the programme. The Minister of State referred to the fact that priority is give to value-for-money projects. That makes sense but my concern is that if costs rise when the yearly reassessment is being carried out, are those costs allowed for? I do not want this project to be moved down the list. It needs to happen because the current fire station is no longer fit for purpose. It has been there for decades and is past its time. I am seeking reassurance that this project will remain a top priority and that, should costs rise when the yearly reviews are being done, Clara will remain at the top of the list and not be moved down further.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I reassure the Deputy that Offaly County council has made significant progress and indicated the current Clara fire station is located on a confined site, with an insufficient footprint preventing the prospect of an upgrade or extension works due to the current fire station site. Departmental officials have linked with the council regarding availability on the council's preferred site location at Raheen in Clara.

Offaly County Council previously published tenders for a lead design consultant to oversee the design, planning and construction of the new fire station at Clara in June 2021, seeking to engage a single firm of design consultants to deliver and manage the project through planning and detailed design, as well as tendering and the supervising of construction. The Department has conveyed approval to progress the project to full design and cost appraisal stage and the council is currently progressing the project through the appointment of design consultants. In light of recent inflation cost increases in the construction sector, the council was advised to ensure the design and specification for the proposed new fire station not exceed the minimum necessary for provision of a fire station and associated facilities at Clara. The council has indicated its capacity and intention to progress this project quickly. That offers reassurance in terms of the progress of the project. That element relating to cost constraints is significant and I am sure it is part of the design brief not to exceed costs. It is within the capacity of the local authority to deliver that within budget. I hope that gives reassurance that the project will proceed as planned.