Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this most important matter today and in recent weeks and months. I am aware that my officials have been liaising with Galway City Council on this matter in recent days on foot of the Senator's representation and intervention. 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 Acts 1981 and 2003. The Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.

In December 2020, a new fire services capital programme was announced for the period 2021 to 2025, with a funding allocation of €61 million. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works 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, state of development of the project and value for money offered by the proposal. The new programme will see six replacement fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments, as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines. Galway is one of the counties to have been allocated an appliance, at an approximate cost of €450,000. A new fire station for Athenry in County Galway is also included in the capital programme 2021-25.

My Department works closely with the relevant local authority to progress each fire station project through the necessary stages. Project consideration stages 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; submission of preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; tender process; and construction stage. In order to maximise the available capital programme funding, the Department reassesses the status of projects in the programme on an annual basis, and some 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.

The Department is aware that at present, Galway city fire station is operating in temporary facilities. The Senator has outlined very clearly the urgency attached to that. It is my understanding that Galway City Council is working with the fire services in Galway city to identify an appropriate site for a headquarters station in the city. When an appropriate site is identified and if the potential project is submitted to my Department for funding, the project will be evaluated urgently for inclusion in the capital programme as outlined.

I know this issue of critical importance to the Senator. As I said, he has raised it with me a number of times in recent weeks. We are now awaiting a submission from the council. I can commit to the proposal being given serious consideration on the basis of the strong argument the Senator has made regarding the provision of a new facility. The Senator has pointed out that we are facing two very difficult weather events in the coming days and in the week and a half ahead. Our fire service is always on the front line, protecting citizens and the most vulnerable. We need to be at the forefront of assisting the service. The Senator has made an excellent case for the development of a new facility in Galway city.