asked the Minister for Local Government what steps he proposes to take towards the reduction of fire losses in future; and if he will indicate what work, if any, is being done by local authorities towards the formulation and implementation of a vigorous policy of fire prevention.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Prevention.
53.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together, and to circulate with the Official Report the statement showing the total expenditure of local authorities during the past ten years on the provision of fire brigade services.
Some time ago I announced my intention to undertake a review of fire service organisation and legislation. Considerable progress has been made with this review and particular attention is being given to the aspect of fire prevention. In the meantime certain specific steps have been taken towards increasing the effectiveness of existing fire prevention measures. Agreement in principle has been reached with representatives of the Irish Standing Committee of the Fire Offices Committee of Insurance Companies on the setting up of an Irish Fire Protection Association with the object of creating a greater public awareness of fire hazards and precautions, and making generally available the results of latest research in this field. A series of slides illustrating major fire hazards, prepared in my Department, has been shown by Telefis Éireann and will continue to be publicised from time to time, as well as other warnings on particular occasions. A special report on the prevention and control of forest fires has been printed for general circulation. The Fire Standards Committee is finalising its report on revised standards of fire precautions in relation to public buildings and institutions.
Satisfactory progress has been made by fire brigade authorities in improving standards of fire cover in their areas, particularly as regards the organisation of fire brigades, the provision of new fire stations and adequate firefighting equipment. The authorities have, in general, fully discharged their statutory obligations in regard to fire precautions.
The general financial structure of the fire services, including the incidence of cost, is being examined as part of the general review of these services. The question of contributions from insurance companies towards expenditure on the fire services has been considered on a number of occasions but has not been found likely to prove of any net value to the community.
Following is the statement :
The total expenditure by local authorities for each year of the past ten years on the provision of fire brigade services was as follows:
|
£ |
|
|
1952-53 |
232,197 |
|
1953-54 |
254,971 |
|
1954-55 |
258,713 |
|
1955-56 |
296,233 |
|
1956-57 |
333,760 |
|
1957-58 |
330,318 |
|
1958-59 |
347,300 |
|
1959-60 |
372,505 |
|
1960-61 |
379,262 |
|
1961-62 |
419,863 |
The year 1961/62 is the last year for which complete figures are available.