Departmental Expenditure

Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Ceisteanna (404)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

392 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide information as to the total cost of employing retained fire-fighters in 2011; the total costs involved in providing training, uniforms and other associated costs to retained fire-fighters; if he will provide such information pertaining to each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16355/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

Outside of the main cities which have full-time fire services, fire services are provided by a retained staffing system. Retained firefighters are employees of fire authorities, and are organised to provide a full professional fire service for their communities. They are equipped, supervised and operate to the same procedures as their full time colleagues. At the end of December 2011, there were 2,077 retained firefighters employed by local authorities. While the information requested in the question is not available in my Department, retained firefighters are paid an annual retainer and an hourly drill rate the figures for which are detailed in the table:

Revised Local Authority Scales Operative from 1st January 2010

Part-Time Fire Service Personnel — Inclusive Annual Allowance
Service	Station Officer	Sub Officer, Driver Mechanic	Firefighter
0-5 years	€15,438	€11,687	€8,402
5-10 years	€17,345	€13,130	€9,439
10 years +	€19,078	€14,442	€10,383

		Fire
Hourly rate of attendance	Drill	Day	Night/Weekend
		1st Hour	Subsequent Hours	1st Hour	Subsequent Hours
Rate per Hour	€19.86	€39.72	€19.86	€79.44	€39.72

Question No. 393 answered with Question No. 391.