Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
412. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a request from the chief fire officer in County Louth has been received seeking approval to commence the capital process of developing the new fire station in Dunleer, County Louth; if so, the time frame for when the project will progress and commence construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21549/20]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on an annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres.
A new fire station at Dunleer is included in the Capital Programme, with an estimated commencement date this year. Identification of potential sites, determination of suitability of sites for a fire station and acquisition of an optimal site is being undertaken by Louth County Council. My Department received correspondence on this from the Council on 12 June 2020 and will continue to work with the Council to progress this project in accordance with the schedule set out in the Capital Programme.
