Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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111. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on pay and conditions for retained firefighters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11888/23]

Darragh 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 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 (NDFEM) 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.

In May 2021, I directed the Management Board of the 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 my Department in December 2022. The report can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/242869/d04df987-07f5-40d5-8121-e9767141de49.pdf#page=null

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).

It is clear from the findings of the review that the work/life balance for retained firefighters should be addressed to make the retained fire service a more 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 significant challenge in delivering change is balancing the organisational requirement and ability to respond with the life needs of the individual retained firefighters.

In order to align the future of retained Fire Services with the needs of the communities they serve, there is a need to review the terms and condition of retained firefighters to position the role as an attractive proposition for serving firefighters and potential new recruits from within the respective communities.

With a view to progressing implementation of all recommendations, engagement is proceeding via the established forums for the relevant stakeholder representative bodies.

The Local Government Management Authority (LGMA) are leading discussions on behalf of the local authorities with staff representative groups on the priority IR issues with two recent engagements on 27 January, 22 February of this year.

I trust that all stakeholders will work together in the coming weeks and months on the implementation of each of the recommendations outlined within the report, to achieve an equitable resolution of the issues identified, thus ensuring sustainable and effective retained fire services into the future.