Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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216. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the role that his Department has in ensuring that funding is in place to meet the pay demands of the members of an organisation (details supplied) in the retained Fire Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2364/23]

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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218. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will take steps to ensure that additional funds are allocated to improve the pay and conditions of retained firefighters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2253/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 218 together.

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 fire authorities through setting general policy, providing the legislative framework, running a central training programme and issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management manages fire service issues in my Department.

Fire services in Ireland are provided by the local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, 31 authorities provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 217 fire stations nationwide deliver local authority fire services, 16 of these stations being staffed by full-time firefighters, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 197 are staffed by retained firefighters, with approximately 2,065 retained firefighters around the country. It is important to note that the numbers of fire service front-line staff have been maintained at a constant high level throughout the economic challenges of the past number of years, even when staffing numbers, by necessity, were reduced in other areas of the local authority sector.

The provision of fire services by local authorities is based on a risk management approach, which involves an analysis of the nature of the fire hazards and the incidence and extent of fires that occur, as well as the fire protection measures in place. There has been a welcome downward trend in the incidence of fire, with the fire fatality rate per million of population, using a three-year average, currently at 4.3 deaths per million of population. While each death is one too many, this figure is a third of what it was twenty years ago when it stood at 12.9 deaths per million of population and positions Ireland among countries with very low fire fatality rates.

In May 2021, I directed the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) to review the delivery and sustainability of the local authority ‘Retained’ Fire Services, with particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of personnel.

Following the recommendation of the NDFEM Management Board, I approved the review report for publication by the DHLGH in December 2022. Publication of this review builds on the progress made implementing the “Keeping Communities Safe” policy, setting the future strategic direction of the Retained Fire Service.

The review report is the culmination of,

- the comprehensive engagement of retained firefighters with an independent research survey conducted during 2021. (Over 900 members of the retained firefighting service both serving and those recently retired/ resigned took part)

- the comprehensive engagement of senior fire service management with an independent research survey during 2021

- a comparative analysis of service delivery models with other EU fire services.

- further direct engagement with staff representatives throughout the process via the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group (Retained), facilitated by the Local Government Management Association (LGMA).

The work of the brave men and women of the retained fire services can be dangerous, physically challenging, and psychologically demanding. Our firefighters are an elite frontline service staffed by very dedicated and selfless people, serving their communities around the clock.

It is clear from the findings of the review that the work/life balance for retained firefighters needs to be addressed to make the retained fire service an attractive employment option. It is important that as we move to improve recruitment and retention, we also endeavour to prioritise inclusion and diversity within the Fire Service.

The review provides recommendations which aim to enhance the service delivery of retained fire services, by maintaining the strengths of the retained fire services, while addressing the issues that act as a barrier to recruitment and retention, thus ensuring that it is sustainable and works effectively.

The significant challenge in delivering change is balancing the organisational requirement and ability to respond with the life needs of the individual retained firefighters. The implementation of the recommendations of this review will progress immediately with continued engagement with all stakeholders throughout, via the established forums. This review is intended to support our retained firefighters, improve working structures within the retained fire services in Ireland and ultimately ensure the best service possible for communities that are served so well by the retained fire services across the country.