asked the Minister for Defence the extra training which was provided for troops involved in fire-fighting duties as a result of the industrial dispute involving firemen in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire; the total coast of providing such training; if any additional equipment was purchased for the troops; if so, the cost; if any additional payment is being made to the troops concerned; if so, the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

22.

asked the Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel who have been seconded on a full time basis to manage and provide fire-fighting services in the Dublin area as a result of the fire officers' dispute.

24.

asked the Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel that are taking the places of the Dublin Fire Services at present; and if he has satisfied himself that adequate Army personnel are being made available.

31.

asked the Minister for Defence the weekly cost to his Department of providing fire-fighting services in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

84.

asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements, organisational, financial and technical which have been agreed to allow the Army to be provided with cover during the present dispute involving the Dublin Fire Services.

(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 22, 24, 31 and 84 together.

A large number of Army personnel underwent an extended course of training in fire-fighting techniques in the Curragh Command in the period preceding the industrial dispute. The total additional cost of providing this training was £44,000 approximately. No additional equipment was purchased by my Department for this purpose. A special allowance of £13.65 per day is payable to the personnel involved. The total cost of this allowance from the commencement of training up to 5 February 1988 has been £131,000 approximately. The average weekly cost in respect of additional expenditure incurred on rations, fuel and allowances from the commencement of the strike on 22 January 1988 up to 5 February 1988 has been £51,000.

The operational headquarters of the emergency fire service is located at Collins Barracks, Dublin, where all 999 calls are received from the Garda Síochána Communications Centre at Dublin Castle. There are 13 operational Civil Defence fire tenders together with five cutting crews located as follows:—

An additional number of fire tenders are in reserve.

Four ambulances based at St. Bricin's Hospital, plus a number in reserve, are available in support of the emergency fire services to accompany tenders to the scene offires. Each fire tender is manned by a crew of six personnel including personnel trained in the use of breathing apparatus. Each ambulance has a crew of three personnel while cutting crews comprise four personnel. Support services such as administrative and technical staff are located in Army barracks. On 5 February 1988, a total of 558 Army personnel were involved in the provision of the emergency fire service. The numbers deployed from day to day are decided upon in consultation with the appropriate fire advisers.

My Department proposes to recover the costs of this service from Dublin Corporation in due course.

The Minister has said that no additional equipment was purchased by his Department in relation to the training of Army personnel. Would he say, whether there has been a necessity to purchase, either through his Department or in conjunction with Dublin Corporation, additional equipment, such as protective clothing, breathing apparatus, a fire tender appliance or any such equipment, in order to facilitate the Defence Forces in carrying out their duties?

(Limerick West): All the necessary equipment is available for the Army personnel to carry out their necessary duties.

The Minister has indicated that there has been no additional equipment purchased. Would he agree that the indications in terms of ongoing cost are that within a very short period his Department will have spent as much money as, if not more than, would have been necessary to settle this unfortunate dispute? Have the corporation been advised that they will have to bear the brunt of the cost of the intervention of the Defence Forces in this dispute?

(Limerick West): The question of the settling of the dispute is not relevant to my Department. That is a matter for the Department of the Environment and the Department of Labour. As I have already told the Deputy, the costs involved by the Army will be recouped from Dublin Corporation.

I call Deputy Connaughton.

Have Dublin Corporation been made aware of that?

Deputy Connaughton has been called.