Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
228. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding will be made available for an updated fire station in Glencolmcille, County Donegal; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70537/25]
View answerThe 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 Acts, 1981 and 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 equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In correspondence with my Department, Donegal County Council has indicated two new priority fire station projects. Those projects identified in order of the Council's priority are, an amalgamation of Ballyshannon/Bundoran fire stations at Finner and a new station at Glencolmcille. I understand a site has been identified within the Council's ownership at Finner for the proposed amalgamation project, while no new site has yet been identified for the proposed Glencolmcille project.
It would be premature to comment on the proposed Fire Service Capital Programme 2026 - 2030 prior to finalisation of a new programme, following consultation with all local authorities.
My Department will work closely with Donegal County Council to progress their identified priority infrastructural projects, within the context of the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide for capital funding.
