Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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270. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to report on the progress of the Fire Service Capital Programme 2021-2025, with direct reference to delivery to date of the expenditure outlined in tables 2-4 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38820/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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 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 December 2020, I announced the 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, fire risks, etc.);
• established Health and Safety needs;
• state of development of the project (suitable site acquired, etc.);
• value for money offered by the proposal; and
• the totality of requests from all authorities.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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271. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline all proposals received from Donegal County Council requesting support from the Fire Services capital programme in each year from 2014 to date; the date the proposal was made; the description of the proposal; the date the proposal was considered and the decision arrived at, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38821/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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 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 the period 2014 to date, in excess of €4 million in grant assistance funding from the Fire Service Capital programme has been approved for the proposed extension to Letterkenny Fire station, appliances and equipment for Donegal County Council. The specific details requested are outlined in the table below.

In July 2022, representatives of Donegal County Council and the Donegal Municipal district met with officials of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) from my Department regarding plans for Ballyshannon and Bundoran Fire stations.

At that meeting the NDFEM officials outlined the application process including the provision of a business case, in order that an assessment might be made under the Public Spending Code rules set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform for the provision of funding allocation.

Once a business case is received by my Department, it can be evaluated and further considered in the context of the funding available under the existing Capital Programme.

Infrastructure

Equipment & Appliances

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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272. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of retained firefighters in each station in the Donegal fire area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38822/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. Details of staffing numbers are available from each local authority and are not available from my Department at the granular level requested.

In September 2023, a WRC proposal was agreed between the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), on behalf of the local government sector, and SIPTU setting out improved remuneration measures and a more flexible model of service provision for retained firefighters. Local authorities are increasing the crew complement to 12 in all retained fire stations, supporting the implementation of the revised model of fire service provision, thereby reducing the commitment to be available by 50% while maintaining the required standards of fire service coverage.

We understand that a firefighting skills course for new retained recruits will commence at Letterkenny fire station on 7th October. It is expected that the recruits, on completion of their recruit training, will be appointed to positions at Donegal fire stations. All local authorities are in the process of recruiting new personnel to fully meet the WRC crew complements.