Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the recommendations from a report (details supplied) on the fire service which have been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16247/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of a report (details supplied) on the fire service here. [16248/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a further review of the fire service has been commissioned; the way in which this review is to be carried out; if consultants have been engaged to carry out this work; if so, the name of these consultants and the estimated cost; if the public will be consulted in the course of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16249/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 to 399 inclusive together.

My Department has implemented a number of the important recommendations of the report, Review of Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland. These include the enactment of the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003, which addressed a number of legislative changes called for in the review. In addition, the high level of capital investment in the fire service has continued and now stands at almost €20 million per annum. The interdepartmental committee on major emergency planning, which is chaired by my Department, is carrying out a review of the major emergency planning framework.

On 17 February 2005 I announced a fire services change programme in which I set out a strategy for the future development of the fire service. This strategy includes measures addressing the development of community fire safety programmes, the development of a risk-based approach to the determination of fire cover standards, the introduction of a competency-based approach to recruitment, retention and career progression in the fire service and the enhancement of health, safety and welfare programmes within the service.

A sum of €356,390 or £280,680 was paid to Farrell Grant Sparks for the report, Review of Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland. No further review of the fire services has been commissioned.