Vol. 377 No. 7
asked the Minister for Defence the extra training which was provided for troops involved in fire-fighting duties as a result of the industrial dispute involving firemen in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire; the total coast of providing such training; if any additional equipment was purchased for the troops; if so, the cost; if any additional payment is being made to the troops concerned; if so, the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
22.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel who have been seconded on a full time basis to manage and provide fire-fighting services in the Dublin area as a result of the fire officers' dispute.
24.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel that are taking the places of the Dublin Fire Services at present; and if he has satisfied himself that adequate Army personnel are being made available.
31.
asked the Minister for Defence the weekly cost to his Department of providing fire-fighting services in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
84.
asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements, organisational, financial and technical which have been agreed to allow the Army to be provided with cover during the present dispute involving the Dublin Fire Services.
(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 22, 24, 31 and 84 together.
A large number of Army personnel underwent an extended course of training in fire-fighting techniques in the Curragh Command in the period preceding the industrial dispute. The total additional cost of providing this training was £44,000 approximately. No additional equipment was purchased by my Department for this purpose. A special allowance of £13.65 per day is payable to the personnel involved. The total cost of this allowance from the commencement of training up to 5 February 1988 has been £131,000 approximately. The average weekly cost in respect of additional expenditure incurred on rations, fuel and allowances from the commencement of the strike on 22 January 1988 up to 5 February 1988 has been £51,000.
The operational headquarters of the emergency fire service is located at Collins Barracks, Dublin, where all 999 calls are received from the Garda Síochána Communications Centre at Dublin Castle. There are 13 operational Civil Defence fire tenders together with five cutting crews located as follows:—
|
Tenders |
Cutting Crews |
|
|
McKee Barracks |
4 |
1 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks |
4 |
1 |
|
Santry Garda Station |
1 |
1 |
|
Swords FCA Hall |
1 |
— |
|
Tallaght Garda Station |
1 |
1 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Coastguard Station |
2 |
1 |
An additional number of fire tenders are in reserve.
Four ambulances based at St. Bricin's Hospital, plus a number in reserve, are available in support of the emergency fire services to accompany tenders to the scene offires. Each fire tender is manned by a crew of six personnel including personnel trained in the use of breathing apparatus. Each ambulance has a crew of three personnel while cutting crews comprise four personnel. Support services such as administrative and technical staff are located in Army barracks. On 5 February 1988, a total of 558 Army personnel were involved in the provision of the emergency fire service. The numbers deployed from day to day are decided upon in consultation with the appropriate fire advisers.
My Department proposes to recover the costs of this service from Dublin Corporation in due course.
The Minister has said that no additional equipment was purchased by his Department in relation to the training of Army personnel. Would he say, whether there has been a necessity to purchase, either through his Department or in conjunction with Dublin Corporation, additional equipment, such as protective clothing, breathing apparatus, a fire tender appliance or any such equipment, in order to facilitate the Defence Forces in carrying out their duties?
(Limerick West): All the necessary equipment is available for the Army personnel to carry out their necessary duties.
The Minister has indicated that there has been no additional equipment purchased. Would he agree that the indications in terms of ongoing cost are that within a very short period his Department will have spent as much money as, if not more than, would have been necessary to settle this unfortunate dispute? Have the corporation been advised that they will have to bear the brunt of the cost of the intervention of the Defence Forces in this dispute?
(Limerick West): The question of the settling of the dispute is not relevant to my Department. That is a matter for the Department of the Environment and the Department of Labour. As I have already told the Deputy, the costs involved by the Army will be recouped from Dublin Corporation.
I call Deputy Connaughton.
Have Dublin Corporation been made aware of that?
Deputy Connaughton has been called.
First, I should like, through the Chair, to convey to the Army my compliments at the wonderful job they have done under the circumstances. I do not want to discuss the pros and cons of the dispute because it is not relevant here, but it is good to know that the Army can come up trumps in regard to the conditions that have prevailed in the last number of weeks. It is good for the citizens to know that the Army are so well organised that they can carry out such work. Will it be possible to continue that sustained effort and for how long? Obviously, great pressure is being put on Army resources. Would the Minister outline for the House if this type of test could be sustained for a considerable period?
(Limerick West): First, I thank the Deputy for his remarks and shall be glad to convey them to the personnel concerned. Yes, we are in a position to sustain the efforts and the constant work by the Army so long as we are required to do so and at the request of the Government and Dublin Corporation.
The training of Army personnel at the Depot Corps of Engineers, Curragh Command, commenced on 12 January 1988 and is continuing. Training is ongoing as additional personnel are deployed. Up to 9 February 1988, a total of 698 call-outs have been answered, including 195 hoax calls. The Department of the Environment and Dublin Corporation have expressed satisfaction with the emergency fire services being provided by the Defence Forces. At this stage I would ask for the co-operation of the Deputies in doing everything possible to ensure that hoax calls are not made. As the Deputies will realise, these put lives and property at risk.
I wish to join in the expression of appreciation to the personnel providing this excellent emergency service during this unfortunate strike. Could the Minister inform the House whether any of the 558 military personnel who are now doing this work have yet received any of the special allowance payments in respect of the work to which the Minister referred?
(Limerick West): I would expect that they have.
The Minister is of the opinion that they have been paid?
(Limerick West): Yes.
I ask the Minister to check, because from experience I am aware that there has been a very great reluctance in the past to pay these special allowances to Army personnel, that very long periods have passed after the services have been given.
I am not aware that the special allowance has been mentioned in this question.
This has been an area of contention.
(Limerick West): I assure the Deputy that there is no such reluctance and no such delay in paying these allowances.
The soldiers will be glad to hear that.
I have two brief questions. In regard to the expenditure necessitated, could the Minister say whether any money was spent on the installation of telephone lines, communication systems, into the centres where the Army personnel are now located? My understanding is that there was expenditure by the Department in this area. That is perhaps something that the Minister overlooked in his reply.
(Limerick West): The necessary telephone lines and all the necessary radio equipment had to be provided. As I have already stated, any excess expenditure will be recouped in due course.
Has the Minister a figure for this cost?
(Limerick West): I have not got that information.
Could the Minister advise us, because this is of primary concern to me as a member of Dublin Corporation, how he envisages recouping money from Dublin Corporation which on his own figures given today is rapidly approaching £250,000? It will be far more before the dispute is settled.
That is a separate matter, Deputy.
(Limerick West): I do not have the specific information with regard to the costs of telecommunication equipment. As I have already indicated to the Deputy, the extra cost will be recouped from the corporation.
Could the Minister let me have the information on that?
