Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 June 2025
109. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans that are in place to prevent, and treat, wildfires in the coming summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34608/25]
View answer110. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional assistance and resources that will be provided for Dublin Fire Brigade, and other fire services across the country, to deal with the threat of wildfires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34609/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
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 & 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 priority infrastructural projects and equipment.
Under the Fire services Act (1981 & 2003) each fire authority maintains a "Section 26" fire and emergency operational plan detailing the provision made by it in respect of organisation, appliances, equipment, fire stations, water supplies and extinguishing agents, training, operational procedure and such other matters as may be relevant for the provision of a fire and emergency service incident response.
Local authorities have responsibility for the assessment of their individual fire cover needs, including the provision and management of fleet and equipment adequate to their specific risk requirements and are free to request funding of specific equipment and fleet which may be deemed necessary in response to an identified fire risk from the fire services capital programme.
The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management have issued a Standard Operating Guideline on fighting fire in remote and rural areas to assist fire services to prepare for and respond to wildland fires.
