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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Retained firefighters review

Summary

Brian Stanley said the review of retained fire services was taking too long and staffing pressures were serious. After procedural reminders from the Chair, the Taoiseach said he would follow it up and accepted the point seriously.

I raise the 2013 report published by the Government and entitled Keeping Communities Safe - A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland. There are 2,065 retained firefighters operating out of 197 stations across the State and there is a problem with staffing. I have raised this before because there needs to be a sense of urgency around this. In May 2021, the management board of the National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management was mandated to set up a review of the model of retained fire services. That is still dragging on. We are nearly a year into that. A private company was procured to do it. The last reply I got on it stated that the expectation of the project team is that the final report would be submitted to the management board of the national directorate by the end of the year. For God's sake, it is a year and a half. There is a staffing issue in smaller stations in outlying areas like Rathdowney, Stradbally, Mountmellick and Abbeyleix.

Comment on this
Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

We are way over time. The Taoiseach to respond.

Comment on this

I ask the Government to move on this. We cannot take a year and a half to put together a simple report. It is just taking too long to get these things done.

Comment on this
Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

It is not the only thing taking too long.

Comment on this

I will follow that up with the Minister. I have noted that if you stay in here long enough, you will get a good geography lesson across every county and town in Ireland. I take the point the Deputy makes seriously and will follow through on it. The Healy-Rae syndrome is beginning to-----

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