(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:—
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Tenders
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Cutting Crews
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McKee Barracks
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4
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1
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Cathal Brugha Barracks
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4
|
1
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Santry Garda Station
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1
|
1
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Swords FCA Hall
|
1
|
—
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Tallaght Garda Station
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1
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1
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Dun Laoghaire Coastguard Station
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2
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1
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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.