asked the Minister for Local Government the number of lives lost as a result of fires in 1973, 1974 and 1975.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Fatalities and Damage.
10.
asked the Minister for Local Government the cost of the damage caused by fires in (a) 1973 (b) 1974 and (c) 1975.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together. Returns furnished to my Department by fire brigade authorities indicate that the number of lives lost in fire outbreaks to which fire brigades were called was 34 in 1972-73, 57 in 1973-74, 22 in the March-December, 1974 period, and 40 in 1975. The estimated cost of material fire losses, based on fire brigade returns, is £6.6 million in 1972-73, £7.2 million in 1973-74 and £8.9 million in the March-December, 1974 period. The figure for 1975 is not yet available.
Is the Minister considering the question of the re-organisation of the fire services?
Yes. It is appalling that so many lives are lost, even when the fire brigade is called.