Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

494. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration will be given to holding a joint meeting of emergency service agencies/bodies to implement a plan for providing streamlined access for emergency services to gated housing complexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57258/25]

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

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 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 equipment and priority infrastructural projects.

The Fire Services Acts1981 & 2003, section 28, gives extensive powers to fire authorities to enter any lands or buildings for the purpose of dealing with an emergency.

It is recommended that access for the Fire Service is unobstructed and the Fire Authority should be given appropriate information to gain access easily. Persons in Control of premises may need to liaise with their local fire service to inform them appropriately so that they are able to gain access.

Regional Communication Centre operators are trained to elicit detailed information directly from emergency callers to ensure rapid access at the scene of a fire service emergency.