Any proposal received by my Department requesting further support from the Fire Services Capital Programme is considered with regard to national priorities and the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide.
Project consideration stages in my Department include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.
Offaly County Council have previously indicated that the replacement of Clara Fire Station is a priority going forward. All projects in the capital programme can be reassessed on an annual basis to maximise available capital programme funding and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects, based on ongoing engagement with local authorities in respect of prioritisation.
The Clara fire station project was not initially included in my Fire Services Capital Programme 2021 – 2025, however, I am aware that the council has taken interim steps to show the readiness of the Clara fire station project and increase the potential for capital funding to be granted should that possibility arise.
Offaly County council have indicated that the current Clara Fire Station is located on a confined site with an insufficient footprint preventing the prospect of an upgrade or extension works to the current fire station site. My Department has linked with the council on the availability of a new site located at Raheen in Clara and is satisfied as to the Councils capacity to progress the project quickly. Consequently, I have taken the decision to bring forward the Clara Fire Station for inclusion on the current Fire Services Capital Programme.
