Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, to the Chamber. This Commencement matter is on the provision of a new fire station in Ballymahon, County Longford, an area with which the Minister of State is very familiar. It is an issue I raised on the Order of Business in February. At present the fire station in Ballymahon is located in a hired out industrial estate in the middle of a housing estate. It is not suitable for a town of its size. It is more than two and a half years since Longford County Council submitted a request for a new fire station for the town. Since then Center Parcs has opened in Ballymahon. It is the biggest tourism infrastructure project in the country. The park attracts between 2,000 and 2,500 visitors to the town each week.

The fire station has nine retained staff. In 2021, there were 53 call outs and there have been more than 30 call outs so far this year. These consist of fires, road traffic collisions, ambulance assists and special services. The firefighters there are trained as cardiac first responders and emergency fire responders. The population of the town has increased yearly since the 2011 census when it was 1,563. In the 2016 census the population was 1,877. It is expected to rise to more than 2,000 in the most recent census. Along with this increase in population there is Center Parcs, Thomond Lodge nursing home and retirement village, a large daycare centre in the town, the Kepak processing plant, which is a large employer in the town, and numerous other units. The town is also home to St. Matthew's Primary School, one of the biggest primary schools in the county. There are also two post-primary schools in the town with Ballymahon Vocational School and the Mercy Secondary School. Ballymahon fire service also covers areas in the boundary of County Westmeath

Longford County Council has identified a site. It is simply incredible to think that a town of this size does not have an up-to-date, up-to-standard fire station. I ask that priority is given to the provision of a fire station for Ballymahon now that a site has been identified. It is in the ownership of Longford County Council.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Carrigy for raising this very important matter. I join him in acknowledging the great work our firefighters do. He has articulated how they are first responders and keep our communities safe. They do exceptional work. Last year I asked departmental officials to liaise with Longford County Council on this matter. 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 2021-25, with a funding allocation of €61 million. The Department's fire services capital programme for the period 2021-25 allows for continued investment at an appropriate level in our fire services. 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.Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for fire station works have been 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, and the value for money offered by the proposal.

In recognition of the current economic situation faced by the State because of Covid-19, the speed and extent to which proposed expenditure can stimulate local economies will also be a key consideration in the first few years of the new programme. Longford County Council has indicated that the replacement of Ballymahon fire station, at an estimated cost of €1.7 million, and that was in August 2021, is its priority. The council has submitted a preliminary appraisal and outline plans to the Department, and I understand a site has been identified, as the Senator quite rightly pointed out in his opening contribution.

The project consideration stages in my Department include the submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals, submission of a design brief, selection of a site, which was already spoken about, an application for approval in principle, the appointment of design consultants, submission of a preliminary design, planning application, submission of a preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans, and the tender process and construction stages.

While a new fire station at Ballymahon is not currently included in the Department's 2021-2025 capital programme, it has now been included on the list for review. Projects in the capital programme are soon to be reassessed to maximise the available capital programme funding. This includes consideration of additional fire station projects from fire authorities which fit the normal fire station project criteria and where an appropriate business case is presented. Priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects that offer best value for money and take into account the state of readiness of the projects.

I have asked the Department to keep me and the Senator updated on this very important matter. I expect the reassessment to be scheduled and concluded for quarter 3 of this year.

Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State. Like him, I compliment all the staff of the fire services, not just in Longford but throughout the country, on all the good work they do and, in particular, the extra work they did in communities during the Covid pandemic.

I thank the Minister of State for ensuring Ballymahon fire station has been included in the list for review. That is extremely positive from a County Longford point of view and I thank him for supporting the move. I would be very hopeful this would be positive when it comes to quarter 3. Longford County Council has a good track record in delivering quality work, not just in our stations but also in libraries etc. I look forward to a positive answer in quarter 3 of 2022.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Along with the Senator, we will work hard to ensure the fire station is present on the capital plan because Ballymahon is a growing town. The Senator has cited its growing population and services such as the nursing home as well as the other businesses that have opened recently. We look forward to working to ensure the project is kept under review.

I wish to be associated with and agree with the comments of the Senator about the leadership team of Longford County Council, which does excellent work.

Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for his attendance and responses.