Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2743. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of plans and the timeline for the delivery of a fire station (details supplied); if there are other similar projects proposed in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; the stages these are at in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34621/18]
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 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.
My Department is working with County Councils in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath to progress priority projects for these areas under the Fire Services Capital Programme. Cavan County Council has indicated that Virginia is their number one fire station priority and a new fire station at Virginia is provided for in the Fire Services Capital Programme. Cavan County Council submitted a revised cost plan for the new fire station to my Department in August 2016, and permission to proceed to tender was granted in November 2016. Approval to accept a recommended tender was issued in July 2017; however the recommended tenderer withdrew their tender bid and subsequent tenderers were unable to proceed with the project. The Council sought approval to re-tender and my Department gave this on 16 January 2018. Following completion of the re-tender process, approval to accept a recommended re-tender was received from Cavan County Council on 29 May 2018 and my Department issued this approval on 31 May 2018. My Department will continue to work with Cavan County Council to progress this project.
With regard to Monaghan County Council, fire station priorities for the county place a new fire station build at Castleblayney at No. 1 and a new build fire station at Ballybay at No 2. The station at Castleblayney is included under the 2016-2020 Capital Programme as a new build station project with an indicative date of 2019. In April 2009 design and cost plans were received by my Department and a site was purchased in 2011. My Department has issued approval for this project to go to tender. Ballybay is also included under the Capital Programme as a new build station project at a site in Corrybrennan. There is currently no specific target year for construction. However the project will be considered in annual programme reviews. My Department is working with Monaghan County Council to progress these projects.
Meath County Council has listed the refurbishment of a fire station at Dunshaughlin, followed by the refurbishment of a station Oldcastle, as their priorities under the 2016-2020 Fire Services Capital Programme. Initial documentation, consisting of design and cost plans in relation to Dunshaughlin, was received by my Department at the beginning of July 2018 and I understand that a Part 8 application is due for decision on the 27th of this month. My Department is working with Meath County Council to progress this project to the next stages. A proposal for the extension of the fire station at Nobber is also included under my Department's Capital Programme. The refurbishment of this station, to include the provision of a drill yard, drill tower, security fencing and an extension to the existing station has an indicative date of 2020. As for all of the projects included under the Fire Services Capital Programme 2016-2020, my Department will continue to liaise with Meath County Council to ensure the progression of this refurbishment project.
