Joe Flaherty
Ceist:421. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new fire station for Ballymahon, County Longford (details supplied) [37598/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 July 2022
Ceisteanna (421)
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 to 2025, with a funding allocation of €61 million. My Department’s Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021 - 2025 allows for continued investment at an appropriate level in our Fire Services, infrastructure, fleet and equipment. The new programme will see six replacement fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments, as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines.
Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (this may be impacted by population or fire risks within the area)
- established Health and Safety needs,
- state of development of the project (for example, if the selected site had been acquired) , and
- value for money offered by the proposal.
In recognition of the current economic situation faced by the State because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the speed and extent to which proposed expenditure can stimulate local economies will also be a key consideration in the first few years of the new programme.
Longford County Council has indicated that the replacement of Ballymahon Fire Station, at an estimated cost of €1.7 million (revised in August 2021), would be their priority. The Council has submitted a preliminary appraisal and outline plans to the Department, and I understand that a site has been identified.
Project consideration stages in my Department include, submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages. Each step is subject to approval from my Department.
While a new fire station at Ballymahon is not currently included in the Department’s 2021 – 2025 Fire Services Capital Programme, it has been included in a list for review. Projects in the capital programme are to be reassessed in Q3 2022, in order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding. This includes consideration of additional fire station projects from fire authorities which fit the normal fire station project criteria and where an appropriate business case is presented. An additional consideration of the review will be the inflation in construction costs related to materials, energy and the added uncertainty of supply chains. Priority can be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects.