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Fire Stations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Ceisteanna (209)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

209. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the new fire station for Dunleer, County Louth since €1.6 million was awarded for the design and site purchase; the details of the proposed site for the station; the expected timeline for commencement of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25673/22]

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 Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. 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 equipment and priority infrastructural projects.

In December 2020, I announced a new Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the,

- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population of the area, identified fire risks, etc...);

- established Health and Safety needs;

- state of development of the project (has site been acquired, etc..); and 

- value for money offered by the proposal.

This new Programme will see 6 new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, 9 fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines. In order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the Programme on an annual basis, and some flexibility is normally available to advance projects that are ready and that offer best value-for-money taking account of the state of readiness of projects more generally. 

A new fire station at Dunleer is provided for in this Capital programme. Louth County Council have been approved by my Department to go to tender, appoint a design team and progress to full design and cost plan stage. Louth County Council are working to finalise the acquisition of their preferred site with the current owners. Upon final confirmation of the site acquisition, Louth County Council will move quickly to the next phase of the project and proceed to tender for the new fire station at Dunleer. My Department will continue to work with Louth County Council to progress the Dunleer fire station project.

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