Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for attending. I acknowledge the important and life-saving role carried out by our fire personnel in Galway city and county, and across the country. Whether it involves fires, road traffic accidents or river rescues, it is vital life-saving work and sometimes, unfortunately, recovery. I know that fire personnel see some harrowing scenes in their daily work.

Proper facilities are the least we can provide for our fire personnel. The Minister of State's Department has done significant work throughout the country and in the capital plan to support local authorities in the provision of fire appliances and stations. In Galway city, the fire station on Father Griffin Road is of its age and era. It has been described as archaic. The site has flooded in the past, does not have training facilities and is too small. There is broad agreement that a city the size of Galway, with a growing population of 80,000 and which is projected to grow under the national planning framework, needs a new fire station. It needs a purpose-built, state-of-the-art, fit-for-purpose facility with proper training space. The city council, in conjunction with the county council which leads on fire services for the city and county, is engaged in an ongoing effort to find a suitable site within the city environs, preferably on city council lands. Sites have been suggested near Bóthar na dTreabh, which has appropriate access to the road network in the city. The site at Father Griffin Road may be retained, subject to assessment, as an ancillary site for the immediate locality, especially as it is in the heart of the city and proximate to the River Corrib, which flows through the city. I understand the Corrib is one of the fastest flowing rivers - if not the fastest flowing river - in a city environs in Ireland and possibly across Europe.

We know the important work that our fire personnel do in life saving and recovery. The facility in Father Griffin Road is not fit for purpose. Galway city is a growing centre of population. We need room to expand and a fit-for-purpose and modern facility for the people of Galway. Indeed, the existing fire service also provides cover for areas in south Connemara. There is a new fire station in south Connemara. I was pleased to work with local groups to deliver that facility through the county council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We now need to look at a proper fit-for-purpose building for Galway city.

What engagement has the Department had with Galway County Council, as lead agent on behalf of the city and county, on identifying and acquiring a site? Will financial support be provided to build a fit-for-purpose site, subject to planning permission and all that goes with that? What engagement is the Department having with chief fire officer in Galway to push the project forward? I know the Department has done a lot of work and is working with the council on the construction of fire stations in Loughrea and Athenry. However, Galway city, with a population of its size, needs a new, modern, fit-for-purpose facility to enhance the services it provides for the city and its environs and its engagement with other fire services in the county. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response.