Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an action programme to drive forward the recommendations of the fire safety and fire services here (details supplied) was developed by his Department; and the reasons the primary recommendation of the report regarding a national authority has not been implemented. [24188/07]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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In February 2005, the Government announced a Fire Services Change Programme, 2005 to 2007, to implement key fire services and fire safety recommendations of the Farrell Grant Sparks Report, Review of Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland. The priority at the time was not to pursue further institutional change but to use the available resources to bring about direct improvements in the key areas identified in the report.

The change programme included four priority areas addressing the development of community fire safety programmes, the development of a risk based approach to safety management, 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 under the Change Programme was carried out by a dedicated Project Team, with a consultative structure in which all of the stakeholders participated. A report on progress achieved over the two year period was published in June 2007 and is available on the Department's website, www.environ.ie. The Minister is reviewing the options for the next phase of the change programme having regard to the Farrell Grant Sparks recommendations and the need to continue to bring about real and substantive change so that the fire service is in line with international standards.