Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

617. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will ensure that Westmeath civil defence has appropriate housing conditions; the actions he plans to take to ensure that their premises is fit for purpose and meets necessary standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31994/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Civil Defence is a volunteer based organisation which supports the frontline emergency services. It operates in partnership between the Department of Defence and local authorities' through-out Ireland. The Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence is charged with the management and development of Civil Defence at national level. The Civil Defence Branch provides policy direction, centralised training, administrative support and guidance and centralised procurement of major items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.

At local level, Civil Defence is based in each local authority area under the operational control of the relevant local authority. On a day to day basis these Units operate under the control of a Civil Defence Officer, who is an employee of the local authority.

The provision of accommodation of local Civil Defence Units is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. This is a longstanding position which was reaffirmed in the White Paper on Defence (2015). Officials in the Department of Defence have been in contact with Westmeath County Council regarding the issue of accommodation for the Civil Defence Unit. I also met recently with some volunteers from Westmeath Civil Defence. I understand the Council are reviewing the situation and in the interim have provided temporary training facilities for Westmeath Civil Defence.

The Department of Defence will continue to engage with the Westmeath County Council in an effort to ensure that appropriate accommodation is provided for the Civil Defence Unit.