Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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719. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if Dublin Fire Brigade teams will start carrying naloxone with them; if they will replicate the training programme for Cork City Fire Brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46520/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, 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 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.

As Minister with policy and legislative responsibility for fire safety and the provision of fire services by local authorities, my key objective is to support all local authorities in meeting their statutory obligations as set out in the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003.

The Department of Health has primacy in relation to public health programmes and clinical guidelines. I understand that the HSE plays a significant role in implementing naloxone programmes, training frontline workers and community volunteers in the administration of naloxone, ensuring it is used safely and effectively.