Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 4

Written Answers. - Fire Services.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

12 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the last full review of fire services provided by local authorities was carried out; if there are cases where the demands on the service would justify the employment of full-time fire officers rather than part-time on-call operatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6114/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey): The last full formal review of the fire service was undertaken in 1981 in conjunction with the preparation and enactment of the Fire Services Act, 1981. The position is subject to ongoing review, as evidenced by the many developments which have occurred in the meantime.

The provision of fire cover is a statutory duty of the individual local fire authorities. In accordance with section 10 of the Fire Services Act, 1981, it is a matter for each fire authority,inter alia, to assess its fire fighting needs and to establish and maintain the type of staffing arrangement they consider necessary or desirable to exercise their statutory duty.

Three fire authorities, Cork, Dublin and Limerick County Boroughs, operate full-time fire services in a total of 14 fire stations. In addition, Sligo and Galway County Councils, Waterford County Borough, Drogheda Borough Corporation and Dundalk Urban District Council have a combination of full-time and retained fire services personnel. The remaining fire authorities have retained fire services. The total number of full-time personnel employed by fire authorities is approximately 1,200 and the total number of retained personnel is approximately 2,000.