Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
420. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on a new fire station for Kilkenny city; the timeline for when it will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5300/26]
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.
Project consideration stages from a Department perspective include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of a site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of a preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stages - each step subject to approval from my Department.
In December 2020, Minister Darragh O'Brien announced the Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
• Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
• established Health and Safety needs;
• state of development of the project;
• value for money offered by the proposal; and
• the totality of requests from all authorities.
At that time Kilkenny County Council had indicated a new fire station at Urlingford to be their number one priority with the replacement of Kilkenny City Fire Station as their second priority going forward. Urlingford fire station was officially opened by Minister O’Brien on 29th May 2024.
Kilkenny County Council received approval in principle to progress the Kilkenny City fire station project in February 2023 and were subsequently approved to tender for design consultants in April 2023.
Kilkenny County Council has indicated a new fire station for Kilkenny City to be their number one priority project for the Fire Services Capital Programme 2026 – 2030. Kilkenny County Council is working to finalise the acquisition of their preferred new site for Kilkenny City fire station. Upon final confirmation of the site acquisition, I understand that Kilkenny County Council will move quickly through the necessary phases to progress the construction of a new station for Kilkenny City. My Department will continue to support Kilkenny County Council to progress the new Kilkenny City fire station project.
