1787. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can assure the community on Arranmore island in County Donegal that retained firefighters will continue to be employed on the island; if he is aware of the community’s concerns that the island may be serviced only by volunteer firefighters in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60233/26]

The provision of a fire service within 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 responsibility of individual local authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003.

My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy and progressing legislation, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.

Keeping Communities Safe: A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland (KCS) sets out national fire service policy. The delivery of fire services by local authorities is based on a risk management approach through Area Risk Categorisation, which involves analysing the nature of fire hazards, the incidence and severity of fires, and the fire protection measures in place within a particular area.

Ireland's current fire fatality rate, measured as a three-year rolling average, is trending at 4.5 deaths per million population. This compares with 12.9 deaths per million population twenty years ago. While every fire-related death is a tragedy, this outcome places Ireland among the countries with lower fire fatality rates internationally.

KCS places a strong emphasis on Community Fire Safety programmes, ensuring that households receive fire safety advice and have access to working smoke alarms and other appropriate fire protection measures. These initiatives are regarded as the most effective means of protecting life in the event of a fire. Community Fire Safety programmes, including prevention and awareness campaigns and the installation of smoke alarms, are delivered by local authorities across all communities and are maintained and renewed as required.

My Department has made significant investments supporting local authorities to deliver Community Fire Safety initiatives, to maintain fire service fleet, and to enhance fire service infrastructure and operational capabilities.