Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received and reviewed the draft document by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, Keeping Communities Safe; if he is concerned by any proposals to reduce minimum manning levels in the Fire Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52902/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Management Board of m y Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management has approved a policy document called Keeping Communities Safe (KCS) which is intended to set the future direction of fire services in Ireland. The policy document seeks to define an integrated approach to fire safety by ensuring an appropriate incident response from the fire service while strengthening the service’s role in fire prevention and community fire safety. The KCS document is the outcome of a wide ranging review of fire services activities , and considers future roles and appropriate structures to deliver services effectively and efficiently. Its preparation involved board stateholder consultation and its provisions are in line with international best practice.

I will be bringing Keeping Communities Safe to the attention of Government and I expect to publish it as national policy in the near future.