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Fire Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 February 2018

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

Ceisteanna (619)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

619. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of projects (details supplied); the stages they are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5595/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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 Service Act, 1981.  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 Virginia is provided for in the Capital Programme. Cavan County Council has indicated that Virginia is its number one fire station priority. The Council submitted a revised cost plan for a new station to my Department in August 2016, and permission to proceed to tender was granted in November 2016.  Approval to accept the selected tender was issued in July 2017; however, the successful tenderer withdrew the tender and subsequent tenderers were unable to proceed with the project. The Council sought approval to re-tender and such approval was given by my Department on 16 January 2018. My Department will continue to work with Cavan County Council to progress this project. 

A fire station project in Ballyjamesduff is also included in the Capital Programme under the list of priority projects to be progressed for 2018. The projects in the capital programme are reassessed on an annual basis and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects.

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