Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

382. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of instances where the Air Corps or other air or helicopter service contracted by the State has had to assist in dealing with gorse fires during 2023 and 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27225/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Within my Department the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) co-ordinate emergency responses in support of local authority fire services. The NDFEM personnel act as coordinators between the Rostered Senior Fire Officer (RSFO) and the Department of Defence in requesting the support of the Defence Forces to gorse/wildland fires.

An RSFO may request the support of the Defence Forces when dealing with gorse/wildland fires. The RSFO assesses the conditions, the extent of the fire, the location of the fire and area threatened and the threats of the fire proximity to homes and critical infrastructure including forestry. Once the determination is made that such support is necessary, the RSFO contacts the NDFEM duty officer to request support with response to the fire in the form of Air Corps support or additional Defence Force personnel.

The NDFEM duty officer contacts the Department of Defence duty officer to relay the desired support sought by an RSFO. In instances where Air Corps support is not available, the RSFO may contact a private helicopter provider for assistance.

The NDFEM do not hold records for the deployment of the privately contracted helicopters supporting fire services. This information may be available within individual local authorities.

In the period requested, 2023 to date in 2025 the Air Corps have supported gorse fire responses on two occasions in 2023, on no occasion in 2024 and on three occasions to date in 2025.

Air Corps Aerial firefighting response