Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 620: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the implementation of the proposed changes contained within the Farrell Grant Sparks review of the Irish fire service; when implementation is expected to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5204/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has implemented a number of the important recommendations of the report Review of Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland. These include in particular the enactment of the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003, which addressed a number of legislative changes called for in the Review. In addition, a new Framework for Major Emergency Management, on which local authority, Health Service Executive and Garda Síochána Major Emergency Plans are based, has been issued and this will be implemented over the next two years in accordance with a programme approved by the Government. The high level of capital investment in the fire service has been continued and now stands at over €20 million per annum.

In February 2005, I announced a Fire Services Change Programme to implement key fire services and fire safety recommendations of the review. This Programme sets out the strategy for the future development of the fire service and 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. Work on the Change Programme is being carried out by a dedicated Project Team and is progressing satisfactorily. Programmes are being developed in each of the four project areas and are being implemented on a phased basis.