Written answers

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Fire Stations

Photo of Verona MurphyVerona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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360. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when funding in respect of the new fire station in New Ross, County Wexford will be signed off on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18916/20]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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 fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003.  My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.

In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on an annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres.

The five-year programme proposed the construction/refurbishment of twenty six fire stations. This included sixteen new builds and ten upgrade/refurbishment projects. 

A new fire station at New Ross is provided for in this Capital Programme. Wexford County Council has indicated that New Ross is their number one fire station priority. The Council completed a tender process in December 2019, and in March 2020 my Department requested and received the tender report and cost plan, along with further detail in May 2020. A final decision on this project has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. My Department will continue to work with Wexford County Council to progress this project. 

A new capital programme for the period 2021-2025 is currently being finalised. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities a number of proposals for station works etc. have been received. The proposals will be evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:

- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.)

- Established Health and Safety needs and

- State of development of the project (is site acquired, etc.?) 

In recognition of the current economic situation faced by the State as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the speed and extent to which proposed expenditure can stimulate local economies will also be a key consideration in the first few years of the new programme.

I hope to be in a position to make an announcement regarding New Ross fire station, and this new programme, in the near future.  

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