Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the recommendations that have been implemented to date from the Farrell Grant Sparks consulting Review of Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland; if he will provide an implementation plan for all recommendations or advise on his plans to undertake a new study of fire services in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6456/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In 2002, the Report of the Review of Fire Safety and Fire Services in Ireland was published by my Department.

The principal recommendations included more focus on fire safety, including the introduction of community fire safety initiatives; the enhancement of fire safety legislation, the adoption of a risk-based approach to determining emergency cover as well as new approaches and structures for major emergency management. In addition, the Report called for continued capital investment to improve infrastructure and further development of safety, health and welfare arrangements.

A great deal has been accomplished in the past decade since publication of the Report and the key recommendations of the Report have been implemented.

Substantial financial resources were provided to local authorities over the last ten years, and have resulted in a quality fire and rescue infrastructure throughout the country. Most of our fire stations have full facilities, the appliance fleet is in very good shape and equipment is generally regarded as top class. Our emergency management arrangements, with the production of a new Framework for Major Emergency Management and the implementation of the Major Emergency Development Programme 2006-2008 , are in line with international best practice, and were widely acknowledged to have been fundamental in ensuring effective response to the recent Cork Airport tragedy and during the severe weather emergencies in January and December 2010.

A range of other measures have been introduced in line with recommendations contained in the Review. Fire safety legislation was strengthened in 2003 as recommended in the report, with increased powers for fire prevention officers. A series of excellent initiatives has been developed under a community fire safety programme, including a domestic smoke alarm campaign, and a Primary Schools Programme.

The recommended Risk-based approach was developed through a procurement process and piloted in a number of counties. This is being made available now to other local authorities to ensure service managers have access to appropriate information to enable them to decide on the effective deployment and use of resources and to ensure that an appropriate balance between prevention, protection and response measures is achieved. Health, safety and welfare initiatives have also been progressed, with the preparation of an Ancillary Fire Services Safety Statement, the development of a National Incident Command system and the preparation of a suite of Standard Operational Guidance for the fire services activities. There are comprehensive Occupational Health Systems in the retained fire services, and Critical Incident Stress Management services have been made available to staff in all fire authorities.

Finally, the establishment of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in 2009 addressed conclusively the main Farrell Grant Sparks recommendation on revised institutional arrangements at central Government level. The new structures confirm responsibility for local delivery of fire services, while strengthening the national oversight and leadership role appropriately. The National Directorate, which is located in my Department, has taken over the functions of the Fire Services Council, and is an approach in keeping with the desire to reduce new agencies, while providing appropriate political accountability. Given the progress which has been made, and that the current arrangements are working satisfactorily, I have no plans to conduct a new study of fires services in Ireland.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the role he will play to ensure that a report (details supplied) and recommendations on Dublin fire brigade are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6457/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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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 premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the local fire authorities through setting of general policy, training support and issue of guidance on operational and other related matters, and the provision of capital funding.

An Organisational Review of Dublin Fire Brigade was commissioned by Dublin City Council, which provides fire services for the other Dublin local authorities as well as for the city, to provide a strategic overview of Dublin fire brigade services.

The report was prepared by Sir Ken Knight, Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor for England, and covers areas such as leadership, service delivery, management of community risk, staffing and management structures, resources and value for money.

A Development Board has been established by Dublin City, Council involving relevant stakeholders, to assist in the implementation of the Report's recommendations in relation to the fire and rescue services in the Dublin area. My Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management is represented on this Board, and provides guidance in relation to national policy on issues under consideration.