Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - Fire Fighting Service.

Mr. Hayes

Members of both sides of the House fully recognise the difficult and challenging job of our national fire service. It is a task carried out with unswerving commitment by almost 3,000 men and women throughout the country. We all recognise the excellent job fire fighters do in our name. It is right and proper that their commitment to the safety of this country is regularly appreciated.

The appalling condition of fire brigades and their appliances is, therefore, a matter of humiliation to both the fire service and the Dáil. This view was articulated recently by personnel in the fire service who are genuinely concerned about the lack of investment. Those of us who have responsibility to vote moneys for this essential service should be alarmed and concerned about the views expressed by firefighters.

While the service ultimately comes under the direction of local authorities, capital investment in the fleet is the direct responsibility of the Department of the Environment and Local Government. I wish to refer to the matter of that responsibility. Will the Minister for the Environment and Local Government respond immediately to the widespread concern in the fire service concerning the lack of capital investment in the fleet?

I was shocked to discover we spend such a small percentage of GDP on the fire service. The figure of 0.02 per cent of GDP represents a fraction of expenditure in comparison to other EU countries. Given that the number of fires reported over the past 20 years has increased by more than 58 per cent, from a public safety perspective it is inexcusable that national expenditure on this most vital area stands at such a low level. Ireland has one of the highest rates of fires in the world – we have more fires per head of population than Germany, France or the United Kingdom.

Last year the Chief Fire Officers' Association published results of a survey into the capital needs of the fire service for the next 15 years and its conclusions are stark. A large proportion of front-line vehicles are second hand and the condition of many fire stations is not adequate from a public health and safety viewpoint. It was estimated that capital requirements for the service over the next ten years to update the fleet of fire engines and improve appliances is in the order of £27.6 million.

The Minister has direct responsibility for capital expenditure in this area. When will his Department respond to the needs of the fire service? I am particularly concerned abut the position in the Dublin region. The Minister's tentative proposals for the introduction of a new flexible manning system are opposed by large sections of people employed directly in the fire service in Dublin.

A senior fire brigade officer was quoted in a recent press report as saying "Dublin is a tinder-box just waiting to go up". There is genuine concern in the service that the massive growth in the population in the city over the past ten years has not been fully recognised in terms of providing an adequate fire service to meet the city's demands. The underfunding which has taken place in the fire service needs to be radically altered by the Government. It is inexplicable that the necessary commitment of resources to this essential service could be put on the long figure by the Government.

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

I thank Deputy Hayes for raising this important matter. My colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, is unable to be in the House to respond to this matter and he asked me to do so on his behalf.

The provision of a fire service is the responsibility of the local fire authorities in accordance with the provisions of section 10 of the Fire Services Act, 1981. The day to day costs of running the fire service, about £75 million according to the 1997 returns, are met by the local fire authorities from local sources of income.

The Department of the Environment and Local Government provides capital grants towards certain expenditure incurred by fire authorities in the provision of fire station projects, fire fighting appliances and emergency and rescue equipment, including communications equipment. The total capital provided in the Department's Vote in 1999 for the fire service is £6.872 million. This is an increase of £1.839 million or 37 per cent over the original 1998 allocation of £5.033 million and is the highest since 1984.

Since the early 1980s successive Governments have shown a strong commitment to capital investment in the fire service. Investment in the period since 1980 amounts to nearly £100 million and this has resulted in major improvements. Almost 100 new or improved fire station projects have been completed, approximately 350 fire appliances have been purchased, better training facilities have been made available and modern emergency and rescue equipment provided.

One of the most significant developments in the fire services capital programme in recent years is the computer aided mobilisation project, known as CAMP, which is being implemented on a phased basis nationally. Three mobilisation and communications centres in Limerick, Dublin and Castlebar, to handle all fire brigade emergency calls and some health board ambulance calls, are being developed to cover the country on a regional basis. The centres will provide fire authorities with an efficient and reliable mobilisation and communications system.

This year it is expected that about six fire station projects will be completed and that work will commence on a further eight projects. About 12 new fire fighting appliances are expected to be delivered and fire authorities will be given approval to invite tenders for a significant number of new appliances on a phased basis during the year; the first batch of five are now being released. In addition, the CAMP project will be progressed significantly.

Taking account of the level of improvements in the fire services infrastructure since 1980, the needs of the fire service must be balanced against demands from other services for the capital funds available generally. However, in the context of the year 2000 Estimates the Minister will ensure that an appropriate level of funding is made available to enable a fire services capital programme commensurate with needs to be put in place.