Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 805 and 806 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 Act 1981. 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 priority infrastructural projects.

In December 2020, I announced the Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:

• Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
• established Health and Safety needs;,
• state of development of the project (suitable site acquired, etc.);
• value for money offered by the proposal; and
• the totality of requests from all authorities.

That Programme will see six new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines. Continued investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as a key national priority that is why, in October 2023, I announced the allocation of an additional 40 new fire engines at a cost of €20.8m.

Dublin City Council/ Dublin Fire Brigade (DCC/DFB) have prioritised a number of infrastructural projects for progression through the Fire Services Capital Programme.

In December 2023, following consideration of an updated project appraisal and Preliminary Business Case (PBC), including cost plan, my Department approved DCC/DFB to proceed to the detailed project brief and procurement strategy on a replacement fire station for North Strand (Alfie Byrne Road) with approval-in-principle for funding of €16.4m for the project.

In early 2022 DCC/DFB submitted a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) to the Department on the proposed improvement of fire and emergency services in West Dublin with the construction of a new fire station at Clonburris proposed. Following consideration of that SAR, my Department approved DCC/DFB to proceed to the next decision gate of the Public Spending Code life cycle and requested the submission of a Preliminary Business Case (PBC) to support a new fire station in the vicinity of Clonburris to provide enhanced fire cover in West Dublin.

In August 2024, DCC/DFB submitted the requested PBC which is currently under consideration within my Department. My Department continues to work closely with DCC/DFB colleagues to ensure this project is progressed through the appropriate steps of the Public Spending code lifecycle efficiently.

As regards to plans for a new fire station for Cherrywood, to date my Department has received no correspondence in relation to such a proposal. My Department will continue to liaise with DCC/DFB to progress their identified priority infrastructural projects.