Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1170. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if it is factual that the keeping communities safe document has not been ratified by the relevant trade unions at the time of publication; and his Department’s current position regarding its status and applicability. [18856/25]

James Browne (Wexford, 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 & 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 & Emergency Management manages fire service issues in my Department.

Keeping Communities Safe (KCS) was adopted as government policy in 2013. KCS is settled government policy providing for the delivery of consistent and effective fire services in Ireland while continuing to reduce the risk from fires in communities, prioritising the safety of fire personnel in their work. The determination of national policy remains a matter reserved for government, and compliance with relevant statutory obligations rests with the local authorities.

Under the Building Momentum agreement, the following provision formed part of the local authority Action Plan under which increases were paid within the Public Service Agreement - “Continuing consultation and co-operation with the implementation of ‘Keeping Communities Safe - a Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland’ in retained and full-time fire services”.