Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a review of the current National Retained Firefighters' Association of Ireland model will take place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59195/22]
View answerIn May 2021, I requested the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management to undertake a review of the model of local authority ‘Retained’ fire services delivery. This review has a particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of staff, with the proviso that due consideration also be given to input from the County and City Management Association.
‘Retained firefighters’ are members of their local community who are on call to respond to a range of emergencies. All firefighters are required to undergo a continuous development training programme by attending lectures, exercises, practical courses and other forms of training to maintain competency levels. Many retained firefighters have other full or part-time jobs but when the call comes are ready to drop whatever they are doing and become part of a team, ready to face a wide range of emergencies. Retained Firefighters are paid an annual retainer with additional payments for attendance to drill training and per call out.
The objective of the review is to explore and understand the issues that are impacting on service delivery, to undertake research and analysis and to propose options that will underpin the continuing provision of effective and inclusive local authority retained fire services into the future.
The initial engagement element of the review was the gathering of appropriate data and information, to inform the needs analysis and option appraisals for further development. To that end, the project team undertook a procurement process and engaged the services of an independent consultant to survey the views of the personnel who work in the retained fire services and those that have recently retired from the retained fire services. In preparing the survey, the project team sought the views of retained services trade union representatives through the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group.
Comprehensive updates on the progress of the report have been positively received by the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group. There is broad agreement that the survey outcomes are reflective of feedback received directly from Retained Fire service members previously, and that the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group remains the appropriate forum for feedback on the report.
It is anticipated that the final review report will be submitted to the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management at its December 2022 meeting. The board will submit the report to me following agreement. Following this, recommendations to address the issues raised in relation to the recruitment and retention of Retained Firefighters will then need to be considered together with all relevant stakeholders.
