Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 402: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to introduce national standards for the fire service in order that the performance of brigades can be objectively evaluated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16902/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Fire Services Act 1981, each local authority is responsible for providing a fire service in its functional area. My Department has no proposals to change this position.

The fire services change programme, which I announced earlier this year, 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 fire service. These measures will better enable fire authorities to ensure accountability for performance and service delivery.