Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2649. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of his plans to construct a new modern fit-for-purpose fire station in Kilmacthomas, County Waterford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33151/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, 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 the current 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. This programme includes a provision for the construction of sixteen new builds and ten fire station upgrade/refurbishments.
A new fire station at Kilmacthomas is provided for in this Fire Services Capital Programme, with an indicative date for construction in 2019. My Department is working with the local authority to progress this project.
